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POEMS 



FOE 



THE TIM^ES 



DEVOTED TO 



WOMAN'S RIGHTS, TEMPERANCE, ETC. 



BY MRS. FRANCES A. ROWLEY. 



f)edicafed io the Many Great Workei's in the Cause of Seform. 




CINCINNATI: 

MIAMI PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. 

1871. 



7' ■ 



Copyright secured September 29, 1870, by 
MB. & MRS. C. H. ROWLEY. ,' 



MIAMI PRINTING COMPANY. 
Printers, Stereotypers, and Binders, 

WEST EIQHTH ST., NBAR MAIM. /\ 'j'"' 






p 



Introduction. 



^N presenting this work to the public, I have endeav- 
ored to take a practical view of the surroundings of 
all at the present time, and have tried to express my 
thoughts and ideas in plain and simple language, bring- 
ing them down to the capacity even of children. 

I have chosen this form of giving you my thoughts on 
the various subjects so frequently discussed at the present 
day, because I have felt it the best mode for me to pursue. 

I have tried to touch upon the most, if not all of the 
great evils of the day, and have placed the language in 
poetic form, thinking that perhaps in this way I might 
reach the minds of those of my sex that would not be as 
well pleased with practicabilities in prose ; though I may, 
perhaps, at some future day, come before you again in 
that form. 

The greatest desi e I have is, that this may be the 
cause of accomplishing some good, and my labors will 
not be entirely fruitless. If there are errors, you will 
consider that to err is human. 

With merely this, I leave it with you to decide whether 
or not this will fulfill my wishes ; and all of you who 
may think the book of sufficient interest for your perusal, 
will secure the heart-felt thanks and best wishes of 

THE AUTHOE. 



Contents 



PAGE. 

Address to Woman, 7 

Woman's Work, 10 

Musing, 11 

Fifteenth Amendment, 13 

Manners on the Street, 15 

Nature's Lesson, 18 

Labor, 20 

Controversy, 24 

Song of a Christian, 34 

The Golden Age, • . . 35 

Light, . . . . .37 

Cheek, 41 

Decoration of Soldiers' Graves, 45 

A Scene, 47 

My Bower, 49 

Prayer for the People against Monopoly, ..... 62 

The Scourge of War, 55 

The Rose, 58 

Clara, . • .... 60 

The S,tripes and Stars, 61 

Try to do What's Right, 63 

Peace, 64 

Now and Then, . 67 

To my Dear Father, 70 

The Dying Outcast, 72 

Shadows, 74 

Ode to Charles Dickens, 76 

Midsummer Day, 78 

Every Bitter hath its Sweet, . . 82 

Love of Nature, 84 

Two Pairs of Eyes, 86 

The Mother-in-law, • 89 

This Age, 94 

A Hint, 95 

Creation, • .96 

(V) 



vi Contents. 

PAGE. 

Prayer for the Young Republic, . . ... • . 105 

Question, . 106 

My Childhood Days, ......... 108 

The Unfortunate, HO 

Arabel Lee, 112 

A Vision, . . . • • • •11'' 

The Little Rag-Picker, 119 

Religion, 122 

My Childhood Home, 124 

Why, 126 

The Eastern Star, , 130 

Redeemed, • • 1^2 

Restored Once More, 13^ 

Our Goddess, Liberty, . . . . . • • • -140 

To My Grandmother, 142 

Where there 's a Will there 's a Way, 145 

True Love, 14' 

The School-Teacher, 150 

The Happy Pair, 1^3 

The Sublime and the Ridiculous, . 154 

The Mother's Prayer, 156 



The Cataract, 



158 



We Work for Liberty, 160 

To the Waters, • 164 

Music, 167 

The Unhappy Pair, 170 

Faith Without Works is Dead, . 172 

Hope is an Anchor to the Soul, ........ 175 

Charity Sufifereth Long, and is Kind, 177 

The Lone Funeral Train, 180 

Joys and Sorrows, 182 

To My Mother, 183 

The Letter, 185 

Kind Words, * 187 

Satan's Proclamation, 189 

Time, 195 

Wronged, . 200 

The Doomed Murderer, 203 

Laugh, -• • • • • 205 

Where is God, 207 

Our Nation, 209 

The Widow, . 213 



Contents. 



Vll 



PAGE. 

Prayer for the Drunkard's Family and the Rum-seller, . . 215 

Doomed Innocence, 218 

The Soul, 221 

Affectation, 230 

The Seasons, 232 

Christian Love, 237 

The Seamstress, 240 

The Parting, . 242 

The Father-in-law, 244 

Story of the South Wind, . 247 

Independence Day, 2'oO 

The Eain-storm, 252 

Delirium Tremens, 255 

The Old Tree, 257 

The Clouds are Silver Lined, 260 

Truth, 263 

To-day and To-morrow, 267 

The Old Oak Tree, 269 

Work for Good, 271 

The Little Mound, 273 

My Garden, 275 

The Wind, 277 

Prayer of a Step-mother, 279 

The Pale Boatman, 281 

The Era, 283 

What is the Cause, 285 

Life and Eternity, 289 

Night, . . . , . . 293 

Jennie and I, 295 

Little Children, 297 

The Weed, 300 

The World is Growing Better, ....... 302 

The Moneyless man, 306 

Onr Social, 308 

Watching, 311 

Thought, 314 

Valedictory, • . . . • 315 



Poems for the Times. 



— ~-sVA^O0O" 



g^liW^ t0 W0WM- 



5|t: WOMAN! live to aid thy sex! 
fflp^ And lead her gently on ! 
' And strive to do your all, to bless 
And teach them to grow strong! 

O, woman, you 've not known your place — 
Your power has ne'er been felt ! 

O, come at once! come fill that space 
That vacant has been left! 

Do n't say you have no mission here — 

Do n't longer be a tool, 
But take your place upon this sphere, 

And learn from Wisdom's school. 

The field is wide, the harvest ripe. 
Then why thus waste your time? 

Behold! the grain already white, 
Why stand ye and repine? 



(^oems for the Times. 

Look all around — on every side — 

Beliold the sin and shame ! 
See vice stalk openly and wide 

O'er all this earthly plain. 

With such a picture here spread out, 

Can you remain at ease, 
And see your sisters all about 

Subject to man's caprice? 

You may have plenty at your hand. 

If so, do all you can 
To help the fallen in our land 

Caused by our brother, man. 

O, let us strive, by work and toil, 

The outcast to redeem ; 
And never fear our hands to soil 

Making the filthy clean. 

If we but keep our motive right. 
Pure thoughts we have within ; 

We'll never fear the darkest sight. 
Or drink with them in sin. 

How glorious the work to save 

Our fallen sister here! 
'T will bless us onward to the grave, 

And after us appear 

We Ve worked but slowly, in the past. 

But ere long shall we find 
That fierce and hard Avill blow the blast. 

E'en harder than the wind. 



Address to Woman. 

When we shall take our place marked out 

Beside our brother, man, 
Then will we raise one long, loud shout, 

With ballot in our hand. 

O, glorious time! we see the dawn 

Of that most glorious day! 
We ^11 hail, with joy, the welcome morn 

That takes all bars away ! 

Then let us, sisters, stand up fi^ee — 

Equal with brother man; 
Then will our minds unfold to see 

What ^s needed at our hands. 

O, let us never, while we live, 

Remain contended here — 
Until our rights to us they '11 give — 

Until we gain our sphere. 

Our brother, too, will feel our power. 

In all our great reforms; 
Intemperance meets its doom the hour 

The franchise to us comes. 

Then can we sit with ease, and say, 
"W"e Ve all the rights we want?'' 
We '11 see our work before us lay. 
And pray for ignorance? 

O, God! forbid that this should be! 

But let us rise, with might — 
Stand up — be noble, and be/r^e. 

And battle for our rights. 



10 (Poems for the Times. 

mmm'% If 0*. 

^ CAN we now describe it — our great work ? 
3P Our pen we find inadequate the task, 
^ The magnitude so great. We ne'er commence, 
Ere we soon find no words can half describe 
What comes before our eyes. No Poet, Sage, 
Or Prince of high degree, can ever pen 
The language to express the thought so grand, 
Brought forth to light, to live far, far beyond, 
To all eternity. No work of man 
Can ever vie with that of woman-kind. 
Man reaches out. The great and mighty laws 
Of the Supreme — has watched the lightning's play 
Within the heavens — and, with his puny hand. 
Has intellectual laurels won. From depths 
Almost unknown, he will supply the wants 
Of all humanity. With one foot on 
The sea, the mighty depths of ocean span. 
He can withdraw the forces of the wind. 
And with the law of gravitation, find 
Two worlds in one. But is his great, broad mind 
Now equal to the task that woman has? 
She, toiling, daily, hourly, with so small 
Reward? Her work stands out in bold relief. 
Man's work, as in the future, let us see. 
O, take a peep ! Where do we see the works 
Of man? All going to die, and that so soon. 
We see here written, or engraved upon 
The tablets of the mind of man, these words — 
*' Passing away^ Is this what we behold 



Musing. . 11 

When e'er our gaze is fixed on woman's work ? 

Methinks when e'er we view her labor great, 

Although in silence to be wrought, we find 

Endurance there — the great and noble work 

Of woman. Who can tell if she may do 

it wisely, or how well? It lives beyond. 

Beyond, to all eternity. Then can 

Her brother man compete with her? She molds 

The human soul, for weal or woe. Then let 

Her place be made befitting for the great 

Responsibility that she must bear. 

We have the men of state, that carry forth 

This great and powerful nation with success ; 

But view the molding — thought — embodied in 

Those great and noble sires — the work, so grand, 

Of mothers, who may thus transmit to earth 

Those minds, so rich with knowledge, good and true. 

Then let the mother stand beside her son : 

Then can she work ; you '11 find her work well done. 



J^|Y mind has been wandering now for awhile, 
My thoughts seem so sad this bright morn, 
I 'm thinking of those that I knew, when a child. 
That played by my side on the lawn. 

How happy were we, how little we thought 

What a future in store had for us ; 
So blithsome and gay in our sport, we had nought 

But to live in the future, and trust. 



II ~ (Poems for the Times. 

But some have gone down to the cold, silent grave, 

And others stand out for the right, 
And others have fought for their country so brave, 

And others — O ! spare me the sight. 

The rum-shop has led down to sorrow and tears 

One that j list comes to my mind ; 
She bore it so nobly, these many long years, 

With a heart so good, loving, and kind. 

She gave to that man so noble, so brave, 

Her hand and her heart, long ago : 
He fell, — and now sleeps in the cold, gloomy grave. 

And she is just waiting to go. 

Her hopes are all blasted, her form is now crushed. 

She is dying of care and of grief; 
Although his poor form lies low in the dust, 

She finds here no rest, no relief. 

God pity that woman ! O help her to bear 

Her lot, so unhappy, so sad ! 
O, Father ! just show her that thou hast a care 

For all. It ne'er matters how bad. 

O when will destruction be swept from our land ! 

O when will man learn to be wise ! 
O help in this hour ! Show thy strong, mighty hand ! 

Help, Lord, these poor mortals to rise ! 

Speak out with thy thunders, O break every yoke ! 

The captive forever set free! 
Show forth to the people, that they may take note : 

Thy power, O Lord, may they see ! 



Tlie Fifteenth Amendment. 13 



%%t §SXtm\\ %mmMt%t 

{JljHE Fifteenth Amendment ! liurrah ! hurrah ! 
M[ Sound it aloud o'er the earth afar ! 
^ Right takes the place of the tyrant's wrong 
And makes our great nation more firm and strong. 

From Atlantic's coast to Pacific's shore 
Slavery's chain can be heard no more; 
The clanking of iron, the clashing of steel, 
No more will the colored man e'er feel. 

He is free ! he is free ! we repeat it again ! 
Can tread o'er God's earth, as other men, — 
Can seek for employment every-where. 
Nor think he a master's burden must bear. 

The war brought to light this blessing true, 
That made the poor colored men citizens too; — 
It gave them a right their all to control, 
Pertaining to both their body and soul. 

America, dearer thy name sounds to me, 
Since all of thy sons forever are free. 
We bless thee for all this improvement so great, 
That for the poor slave hath opened the gate. 

Now, that Africa's sons can stand up and be free, 
My country's name sounds all the sweeter to me ; 
Yet more would I wish of freedom of mind 
For the woman, — Ay, more than we will now find. 



14 (^oems for the Times. 

Another amendment^ O give to us now ! 
To lift off the weight from woman's fair brow, 
And place her beside and equal with man, 
And aid in unfolding our great Maker's plan. 

Freer and freer, each day we become, 
Giving more rights to every one : 
Soon may we hail with rapturous delight. 
An amendment that gives to woman her right. 

God bless our Republic ! O may it e'er stand 
Like a bright beacon light to all other lands! 
May despotic governments, over the seas, 
Behold with delight this land of the free. 

May tyrants all tremble upon their grand thrones ; 
May freedom e'er rule, and freedom alone 
Be the all-ruling power henceforth in our world ; 
May all that will crush down forever be hurled. 

Come forward, accept what is given to thee; ^ 

Henceforth let the world behold thou art free. 
Show forth to the people, wherever they stand, 
That Sambo the ballot hereafter commands. 

O, sisters, remember what I do here say, 
The time surely comes — O, hasten the day ! 
That we can live up to our mission so true. 
And show an anaendment in our favor too. 

I had hoped, before Sambo, we 'd open the gate ; 
But no — we could not, we must still stand and wait. 
But the Fifteenth is passed — the colored man's/ree: 
The Sixteenth must come, if last it must be. 



Manners on the Street. 15 

All hail the Fifteenth Amendment^ then! 
That places the African beside other men. 
In prospect, we hail the Sixteenth, too , 
That places the woman right there beside you. 

O, liberty ! sweet does that word sound to me ! 
The watchword of truth must thou ever be I 
The Fifteenth Amendment we hailwith delight ! 
Enjoy what it brings, O sons of the night! 



Piwr^ m tft.e Mxut 

fO into any town of size, 
And note what meets your wandering eyes ;- 
What habits, customs, will you meet, 
As you pass along the street. 

See vanity displayed in dress. 
And sense — but little some possess — 
Vulgarity stares you in the face 
In every corner of that place. 

Perhaps you take a walk, — you turn 
Toward the house of God, to learn 
Of truth and wisdom, given to man; 
And of our Father^s great commands. 

Stepping before you there, not far. 
Walk two young men, puffing cigars; 
The smoke is blown into your face, 
Your olfactories feel disgraced. 



IG ^oems for the Times. 

By coming riglit in contact there, 
With odors that pollute the air; 
You feel a suifocating smell, 
In what way you can scarcely tell. 

One thing is sure : you would not wish 
To cause others to feel like this, 
If you cared aught for others' rights, 
And had not lost your manners quite. 

If this is manners on the street, 
I think that persons are n't replete 
With true politeness, that control Is 
Each one that seeks for good of whole. 

The odor of tobacco flies. 

And fills the air where'er it rise; 

We breathe the breath, polluted — filled, 

And through our clothes is it instilled. 

If young men — old men — all who smoke 
Would not our sense of smell provoke, 
Please put the filthy thing away 
As you are treading our highway. 

Do n't trouble others in the street 
That follow, or perhaps you meet; 
Do n't punish them by this — your vice ; 
But show your manners, — Mind advice. 

Another, and a careless thing. 
Which I before young men must bring. 
Is this — 'Tis seen from time to time, 
I think it not a worthy sign: 



■ Manners on the Street 17 

Of studied manners quite complete, 
Those chaps that ladies often meet, 
Are standing on the corner there, 
Making remarks about the fair. 

As passing on quite leisurely. 
She runs the gauntlet patiently; 
On either side, filed right and left, 
A steady column there is kept. 

It is disgusting to the mind 

Of ladies, who may feel inclined 

To take their exit through our street, — 

These idle men they all must meet. 

Some of those dandies feel quite smart, 
People oft call them small upstarts : 
Upon the corners of our streets 
This class we often have to meet. 

They 're evidently standing there 
In observation to take share, — 
To make remarks on those who pass — 
A lady, young, old, or a lass. 

Manners like this is not genteel, 
And many, many persons feel 
Chagrined, while passing, as they see 
Eyes fixed on them in scrutiny. 

Don't loaf around the corners there, 
If of politeness you have care; 
But go about some business, not 
Be loafing, like some drunken sot. 

2 



18 ^ 067ns for the Times. 

O ! doii^t disgust those you may meet, 
By impoliteness on the street; 
But try, like sensible young men, 
And not repeat the like again. 

Much more we might at this time say, 
But will defer till another day; 
But don't these practices repeat 
While you are tcalking on the street 



^WEET notes the little songters carrol, 

In their beautiful retreat ; 
Their little hearts are light and happy, 
Their little voices, O how sweet ! 

Free to go where'er they listeth. 
Free to choose from life their part. 

Teaching us each day a lesson 

That should bless each human heart. 

Birds and flowers are Nature's offspring. 

By a Being, good and wise. 
Teaching us through all earth's suffering 

To listen to the feeble cry. 

Every bird, and plant, and being 
Hath a place upon our sphere, — 

Every child of earth that 's living 
Has a place allotted here. 



JSlature's Lesson. 19 

Those that have great talents given, 

Much of them will be required ; 
All below will be receiving 

Of these powers we must divide. 

Thus the chain will be completed ; — 

We humanity reclaim, 
By becoming thus connected 

Through the mighty human chain. 

Let us strive to do our duty, 

Acting well on earth our part ; 
We will show to all true beauty, 

That adorns the noble heart. 

Let us strive to give our brother 

What to us is freely given ; 
Teaching love to one another. 

Thus to wjork our way toward heaven. 
.' 
If we find a feeble brother, 

Or a fallen sister, we 
Should be willing hard to labor 
Till we set the captive free. 

Then we '11 fill the place allotted. 

As the birds and flowers have done; — 
Then we '11 leave a life unspotted. 
And our God will say, "Well done." 

Look to Nature for example. 
Striving always to be wise ; 
Here we find conditions ample, • 
If we open wide our eyes. 



20 (Poems for the Times. 

Ants, and bees, and birds, and flowers, 
Teach dependence from above : 

If we work, and use our powers, 
God will guide us by his love. 



''"IE look abroad, o'er all our land 

Where God has planted, with his hand, 
Tall trees, the oak, the lofty pine, 
And made the sun on them to shine. 

Flowers, too, that grow beyond the hill. 
The spring, the smoothly running rill, 
The birds, the bees that fill the air 
Are objects of our Father's care. 

And when we read from Nature's book. 
And o'er this great creation look. 
There we behold the great and small, — 
And our great Maker made them all. 

He loves to work for us in love, 
He sends us blessings from above. 
With all the gifts he 's given to man 
Labor, a blessing, fills the plan. 

Our Father labors for our good, 
And gives to all our brotherhood 
Whate'er their nature stands in need : 
Why will we not his lessons heed ? 



Labor. 21 

If you, my brother, work for me, 
Then I must labor here for thee; 
Then this will fill our Father^s plan, — 
Each one to help his brother man. 

If we enjoy God's blessing here, 
And wish in good health to appear, 
Then must we labor for our bread. 
And not have others in our stead. 

For exercise we all must take 
If in the future we would make 
These bodies healthy, firm, and strong, 
Or wish to future life prolong. 

All have to labor with us here, 
Both great and small, upon our sphere. 
The little ant, from day to day. 
Toils on to store his food away. 

All nature labors, morn and night, 
And thus unfolds to us the sight 
So beautiful, so charming here, 
As day by day it does appear. 

The birds, the bees, the flowers that live, 
And unto us rich blessings give. 
All labor faithfully and well ; 
And doth each day a story tell. 

Then will we shun this blessing given. 
And strive to make our way to heaven? — 
We ne'er can reach the longed-for goal 
Without we strive good to unfold. 



22 ^oems for The Times. 

Within our being here on earth 
We show, in truth, our real worth ; 
With laboring hands — no other way 
Can we go forth to light and day. 

If we would wish to gain the rest 
Among the happy and the blest, 
Then let us do what good we can 
To help our erring brother man. 

We '11 labor hard, dear Father, here, 
That we before thee may appear. 
With garment spotless, pure, and white. 
And hear thee say, " Thou 'st done aright.^' 

We '11 take the erring by the hand. 
And point them to the better land ; 
We '11 labor with God's creatures here 
While we remain upon this sphere. 

We '11 strive the drunkard to reclaim. 
The outcast, all the poor, the maimed. 
All, all with us shall share a part : 
We '11 work for all^ with hand and heart. 

It matters not how low they 're trod, 
They hold the image of their God ; 
They have a place upon this ball, — 
God is the father of us all. 

If we stand higher in the scale. 
We neither bad or good bewail ; 
But let us thank our Father — God — 
That we are not beneath the rod. 



Labor. 23 

That we are not as others here — 
No thanks we give ourselves, 't is clear ; 
But all depends upon our state ; 
For some, we know, meet a sad fate. 

If others placed in higher sphere, 
Look down upon their brothers here 
And scorn him, as we often see, — 
How foolish such an one must be. 

Your place has fitted you to work, 
And clear away the dross and dirt 
That ^round thy brother oft is seen — 
That makes him look to thee so mean. 

Then work to elevate thy race ; 
You never will yourself disgrace 
By striving thus the lost to save ; 
But stand up firm, — be truly brave. 

Within thy bosom thou shalt see 
Work has a blessing been to thee. 
Bright stars within thy diadem 
Will tell of what thy deeds have been. 



(Poems for the Times. 



MAN. 

a '^ WOMAN to vote? Pray tell me, my friend, 
CT Where all of this spouting, in future, will end? 
'^ Where all of this speech-making, writing, and talk, 
Will end? It^s all nonsense — a meaningless moch. 
You know, if she votes, of course she iiaustfightf 
For in no other way will her voting be right. 
Then let her sit down, and forever keep still. 
As she has not all power to enforce her own will. 
If a law, for herself, she should happen to make. 
To enforce it she'd try, and then find her mistake; 
For, as Grant once did say, in regard to our laws, 
^ If they can 't be enforced, why, what are they good for.' '' 

WOMAN. 

"Now brother, we have just one word here to say. 
Let me speak now, right here, for I deem it fair play. 
There are many who vote, are not able to fight. 
And many, there are, if they would fight they might. 
Now, how do these brothers get rid of their part? 
We '11 tell you, right here, ('t is a weakness at heart,) 
They furnish a substitute then, in their place. 
O, the loss of a tooth, or an eye from their face, 
Or a finger or two — they disabled have been. 
For a very long time — as can plainly be seen. 
Do n't talk about fighting, preparing to vote, 
We think this objection scarce worthy of note, 



Controversy. 25 

So study away, for one better than this, 

And soon let me know just what other there is. 

Though the women did go, many times, in disguise. 

And fought by the men ; husbands fought by their wives. 

But what was then done when they found out the case; 

Without pay they were sent, and dismissed in disgrace. 

^Don^t talk ixhoiit fighting/ we women now say, 

'Until you have given these women their pay.^ 

We will tell you that woman, through all the past wars, 

Has ever done much for the dear ' Stripes and Stars.' 

Her great, noble heart must find something to do. 

To her country, you '11 find she '11 ever prove true. 

In all great reforms, you ever will find 

She is always at work with her strong, noble mind," 

MAN. 

"What good will it do for a w^oman to vote?'' 

WOMAN. 

"This question we hear from persons of note. 
We answer this question as others oft do, 
' What good,' we here ask, ' does the ballot do you f ' 
My brother, the vote helps you nurture your plans, 
Much good has it done to you, brother man. 
You regulate all the great questions, you see. 
That come betw^een you and your own liberty. 
If questions of WTong come, at once you will take 
The ballot, and try this wrong right to make. 
The ballot gives power and force to the mind; 
This power we ne'er find in the woman-kind. 
The reason of this we already see, 
Because, unlike you, no ballot have we; 
2 



26 (Boems for the Times. 

You make us dependent^ and then keep us so, 

And think we 're inferior beings, you know, 

Without any power to decide for ourselves, 

Like a toy or a plaything that lies on the shelf. 

This is the coiidition that often we find 

The women here placed, as society binds. 

Her fetters upon her, no wonder she '11 say 

I '11 dress up in ohignon, I '11 flounce and be gay ; 

You make her think this, 't is her business to please 

You men in the nation, that live at your ease. 

Then think not that all the great and strong minds 

Are satisfied here, when the true case they find; 

They see what has given their dear brother man, 

This power over all on the earth, here, we scan; 

And feeling their lonely condition in life, 

He has made woman rise, take a part in the strife. 

Then give her the ballot, and soon you will see 

She will right all her wrongs, and help to right thee. 

She will work, then, in all of the fields of reform. 

And all of the rum-shops she '11 take as by storm. 

This all of our hope for the future, you see. 

For our great temperance cause — the hope of the free; 

For woman has suffered through all the past years. 

From this great moral evil, we see very clear, 

O give her the ballot, and stand by her side. 

And work for each other with honor and pride. 

Now, brother, we think we have answered you here ; 

The question of good, for the ballot, is clear. 

Now ask you another, if still you have one. 

For we think — we believe that these others are, some." 



Controversy. 27 

MAN. 

"Dear sister, wilt thou thy sister unsex? 

This is a great question which makes me perplexed, 

To think that an angel, so lovely as thou. 

From thine own dear position should willingly bow. 

To mingle with politics here, in this life. 

And mingle with filth, in political strife. 

Wilt go to elections, and mingle in here, 

With drinking and smoking, and get thy clothes smeared 

With juice of tobacco, ejected from men. 

At all our elections, as always have been ? '^ 

WOMAN. 

" Dear brother, you never have need to be vexed, 
For never, on earth, can we be unsexed. 
Our great heavenly Father has made us to be 
A woman forever to stand beside thee. 
He gave you to us, he gave us to you, 
We must work out his plans, and ever be true. 
He made me a woman. He made you a man. 
We never can change our great Father's plan. 
Do n't worry one moment; ^Our Father is good/ 
And all of his works are well understood. 
About tending elections, where men go that drink, 
No trouble you need to have, o'er it, we think, 
For time will unfold, in tha future, we think, 
From future elections they banish the drink. 
When wives, sisters, mothers, their place occupy. 
And the ballot to them, you can not deny ; 
Our brother will feel, then, their presence will tell 
As in church, or at socials, in election as well ; 



28 C^oems for the Times. 

In the use of tobacco they careful will be, 
To not smear o'er the dress of the lady, you see. 
Her presence her brother will help to refine, 
Wherever she goes, she thus lets her light shine; 
The place will be made befitting, you see — 
A clean place to vote, both for you and for me. 
Then do n't feel so bad about our stooping down. 
Do n't look with suspicion — do n't cast such a frown. 
Let us strive for the good of each other in life ; 
What you have, here below, is as good for your wife. 
Go on with your questions, let 's hear what you say — 
Object to our voting, we do n't care what way, 
We '11 answer all questions you see fit to make, 
So now, go ahead — your questions here state." 

MAN". 

What, then, will become of the children at home, 
When the mother a citizen then shall become? 
She will leave the dear baby at home — it Avill cry — 
When she goes to election, she lays her work by. 
O tell us, we pray thee! what will then be done 
Whenever this day to the woman shall come — 
What then is in store, in the future, for manf 
She will shirk all her duties in life, if she can; 
She ne'er will a mother be ever again. 
Unless, as she now is, she still will remain ; 
For when she will mingle with us in the strife, 
She '11 ne'er be a mother again in her life." 

WOMAN. 

^' O do not feel bad about what you will do. 
The future, in time, unfolds here to you; 



Controversy. 29 

That your wife, to elections can go, just the same, 

As she went to her church, before her vote came. 

She can leave her dear babe for awhile, you well know, 

And to church or a lecture, with you, she can go. 

Or if she, perchance, should be gone half a day, 

She does that now often, you tell her she may. 

Then can she not go out an hour or so when 

The franchise she has., beside the dear men. 

You need never fear for the future in life. 

When you go there to vote by the side of your wife; 

But go like a man, and a brother, indeed. 

And stand by our women — their cause nobly plead; 

Respect their true rights, and they ^11 respect you, 

In this you, my brother, will prove yourself true. 

Be willing to give what you 're willing to take. 

And soon you will find that the wrong, right will make. 

Go on with objections, as fast as you can, 

"We '11 answer them quickly to you, brother man.'' 

MAN. 
" Supposing my wife should vote different from me, 
'T would bring discord and tumult at home, do n't you see? 
No harmony here in our household should dwell, 
Our heavenly home would soon be a hell. 
I never could give my consent for my wife 
To take, here, the opposite part in the strife ; 
She should vote as I did, and told her to do, 
If not, we 'd go singly all life's journey through: 
And a house that itself is divided, you know, 
Such can not long stand, on the earth, here below. 
Such discord and misery we '11 see in this life, 
This ballot will bring 'twixt a man and his wife. 



30 (Poems for the Times. 

O never! no never! may dawn sucli a day, 
To take from our homes this pleasure away. 
Do n^t take such a step, if you do, we must think, 
That all of our people dark waters must drink/^ 

WOMAN. 
"Dear brother, methinks you do vote as you please, 
If you could not, methinks your voting would cease; 
Or you would at once stand up for the right. 
And we would look on, v/ith joy, at the sight. 
Do you love that dear wife, as any man should? 
If so, would you force her, that is, if you could, 
To do just what you, in your wisdom, thought best? 
Or say, ^let your judgment, my dear, be the test 
Of what your own actions in politics are. 
We ^11 study all points, and both vote with care.' 
No marriage ought ever to be, on this land. 
Where woman's own views are controlled by the man ; 
Our great, all-wise Father has made them to be 
Two beings on earth, with two minds, do n't you see ? 
In matters pertaining to mutual afiairs. 
Let the husband and wdfe both join in each share; 
Let them act here in concert, in temporal things. 
But each should be careful — not try to be hing. 
Let the man be obliging and good to his wife, 
No matter in what, or how hard the strife : 
Let the wife to the husband act noble and good. 
And, generally, then, you '11 be well understood. 
Let her go to the church where 'er she likes best. 
You may do just the same, or at home stay and rest. 
How many are there now, who now stand apart 
In churches, and feelings regarding the heart; 



Controversy. 31 

We hear no contention, concerning tlie case, 

Of where each should go, what church or what place. 

Why could not each vote as their concience tells how, 

And not strive to make the other one bow ; 

But willing both be, to both disagree. 

And not be a tyrant, as some that we see. 

Now, brother, if you can feel thus in this life, 

All right, but if not, you should not get a wife. 

If you wish to control — to tyrannize here. 

And prove to your wife, like some, so severe, 

God pity the woman ! wherever she stands ; 

She's in bondage, obeying a tyrant's commands. 

She 's nought of herself, but merely a toolj 

And that is where some of our women ave fools. 

You keep them dependent — their rights take away, 

And then they will try and another part play. 

If you meet with some trouble when women do vote, 

Just look at the past. Your conduct then note ; 

And see what you 've done to make things so sad, 

And not go and tell the women they 're bad. 

If you will do right, and act right, you see, 

Yoilr home to you, then, will a paradise be. 

The ballot will never retract from your home, 

But you '11 both vote together, or each go alone. 

Act wisely and manly, and always act true. 

And we hope that your wife will act sensibly too. 

Now go on with objections, as fast as you can, 

We think we can answer for most any man.'' 

MAN. 

"Well, madam, the laides, I M have you to know, 
Can do nothing, know nothing, but how to get beaux; 



32 ^oems for the' Timss. 

They have not been posted in matters like this, 
If to voting they come, their work they will miss. 
They never know any thing as to the needs 
Of a nation like ours — they never will read — 
They are not informed with regard to our laws, 
If they do go to vote, they won't know what for, ''^ 

WOMAN. 

"You have men that now vote, that do n't understand 

The laws, or the working throughout our fair land ; 

And many can 't read, I would have you to know, 

But all such can vote — to election they go. 

You will find as much intellect here, let me say, 

With the women, as men, if you give them fair play, 

They will read, and will tell you what they 're going to do, 

And understand matters as well, then, as you. 

Some women there are who now understand 

Concerning your country, as well as the man, 

And many there are, that sooner can see 

The wrong that is done, much sooner than he. 

You talk of their trying to get 'round the men, 

We '11 say now, just here, and over again. 

She 's no other way to get what she needs. 

Without she works strategy — that is to plead 

With man in some way — so she knows his weak points 

And then goes to work, so cute and adroit. 

You make her a citizen — give her the vote 

And her actions will change very soon, you can note. 

We think we have answered this great objection. 

And soon may we hope we have had the last one. 

Go on, never mind if we weary or tire. 

We hope we may help you all out of the mire; 



Controversy. 33 

So where is another^ we may just as well 
Answer objections^ or time will soon tell/^ 

MAN. 

" The whole effect here, of this voting will be 
To demoralize woman in future, you ^11 see 
And this is the whole amount of the plan, 
Deny this great truth — now try if you can. 

WOMAN. 

" Then you say that the ballot will cause us to be 

Demoralized here — just what we shall see. 

We would answer the man that would say to us this : 

That if woman was coming to this, we shall miss ; 

But you see that if she was becoming thus doomed, 

She had, in the past of her life, plenty room. 

She 's mixed with the men, all through her dear life ; 

She is mother, and sister, and housemaid, and wife, 

If this, the result of the ballot would be, 

I should think we M now sadly demoralized be. 

Ah, no ! brother man, we know what you mean. 

You do n't want them to have their rights — this is seen. 

You think she would strive to live for herself. 

And all that she needed she 'd get — nothing else. 

You want her to live, (and this is no joke,) 

Like the ivy, to twine 'round the great, mighty oak ; 

But this will not always her wants here supply. 

For sometimes the oak falls down and must die. 

She must stand up — be free, her own wants supply — 

Upon her own merits must ever rely. 

Go help her, and try, as a good brother should. 

And not kick her down, or try, if you could. 



34 (Poems for the Times. 

Oj give her thy hand, as a brother in life, 

O, let her stand by you through all of the strife; 

Let ^s council together, and work for the good, 

Until all humanity are well understood. 

Then, truly, we ^11 stand up and say we are free, 

Great good for each other henceforth we may see. 

Oar Father will bless us — all over the land. 

As we go, heart to heart, and work hand to hand. 

Then will we all do what we see, with our might. 

Then you — and then I — and then all — will have rights.''^ 



4| SING of the love of the Christian true, 
M As he labors in sorrow or grief: 
^ His life shows to all, that he is imbued 
With love that will prompt to relief. 

He gives of his treasures with freedom and cheer — 

He ever speaks kindly to all; 
He lives to do good to all on this sphere, 

And listens to Charity's call. 

Though others may differ in many regards, 
From him they may turn with such scorn. 

He cares not for that; he knows the reward — 
The crown that his brow shall adorn. 

He thinks of what good he may do while he lives ; 

All sorrows that come to his lot 
Fall lightly upon him, — he is ready to give 

Kind words to the poor, wretched sot. 



The Golden Age. 35 

These small minor questions ne'er puzzle his brain — 
He marks well the path he must go ; 

And if once he 's wrong, ne'er goes there again — 
He willmakea friend out of a foe. 

He may live in a church, or may not, if he please, 

His heart will to him be the same ; 
He feels that his conscience is always at ease; 

He cares not very much about name. 

Then give me the Christian that 's true at his heart — 
That stands for true principles here; 

That never will act the hypocrite's part, 
But is always just what he appears. 



(JEHE age of gold ! O tell us where 
Ujl Our eye may look to scan it; 
^^ The present, past, or future, there 
Show us the age of merit. 

In ages long ago we find 

True sages, seers, and prophets. 

Men who had great and noble minds. 
That taught us lessons of profit. 

A Socrates stood out a light 

To gladden every nation; 
He firmly stood and taught the right ; 

He filled his place and station. 



36 (P'oems for the Times. 

But in that age his life he gave — 
Great truths he here defended; - 

He drank the hemlock, sought his grave — 
His teachings never ended. 

Plato, another, v/ise and true, 
Stood firm with words of love ; 

True spiritual thoughts and views 
That come from God above. 

He suffered in his age, we find. 

To show his teachings forth ; 
His works were noble and sublime; 

He 's given real worth. 

His place he filled while dwelling here, — 
He^s passed away with time; 

The truths he taught upon our sphere 
Sank deep within our minds. 

That age was truly golden with 
Those teachings, good and wise : 

We speak with reverence when we lisp 
The names of those great sires. 

But later, we behold an age 

That truth brought forth to view : 

Grand, noble, good, marks every page 
That comes to us so true. 

And Gallileo — noble sire — 

Brought forth this truth to all : 

The earth is round and swings in air. 
And turns like a great ball. 



Light. 37 

He suffered persecution too, 

(As other great minds had 
For truth revealed in might to you,) 

And made earth's children glad. 

A Newton, Morse, and Fulton came m 

In latter days and ages; 
Truths shine through their great, noble names, 

Are given through their life's pages. 

All — all are golden ages, giving 

Great truths to mortals here. 
That banish clouds upon mind riven, 

And show the truth so clear. 

O ages — golden ages, blest 

Are all thy truths we find 
That make man free : those great behests 

Thou givest to all mankind. 



^LASHING forth in splendor, gleams 
If Those rays supremely bright; 
^ Upon our earth, in golden streams. 
The sun sheds dazzling light. 



All o'er are seen these brilliant beams 

So beauteous to the sight; 
They cast o'er earth a glorious sheen, 

And make all Nature bright. 



38 (^oewis for the Times. 

This the god of day we view, 
That ^s over head enthroned-; 

He gives all light — both false and true — 
But stands not there alone. 



> 



When'er his face is veiled from sight 

A lesser light is seen; 
The silver moon sails on at night, 

And casts its radient beams. 

Assisted, now, by planets — stars — 
In myriads springing forth — 

Lighting the heavens, near and far, 
From south-pole to the north. 

Our physical — this earthly plain — 
Requires light from this source. 

To aid in bringing forth the grain, 
Unfolding all through course. 

Light is the blending of the rays 

From distant bodies sent. 
To answer all our Father's ways, 

And teach all what is meant. 

This earthly plain is crowned with light- 
Bright beams are pouring forth. 

To give to life a beauteous sight, 
And bring out all their worth. 

But in the moral world we hear 

This cry : " More light ! more light ! 

O, shine — dispel this gloom and fear, 
Scatter these clouds of night ! " 



Light. 39 

The cry is heard in distant lands, 

Where ignorance now blights; 
Man now is slaying brother man — 

We hear the cry : " More light V^ 

We hear this voice — ^this plaintive sound — 

Far out upon the sea, 
Where man upon his brother frowns, 

^^ More light, O give to me/^ 

The Hindoo at his idol bowed, 

Cries out, with power and might. 
In voice, though still, to us seems loud — 

"Father, O give more light!" 

Within the borders of our home, 

Our eyes behold a sight 
Of sin, and misery forlorn. 

Which saith to us, "More light!" 

The light of Wisdom^s glorious star, 

O brightly let it shine. 
Till Nature's children, near and far, 

May claim that power divine ^^ 

That truth and love will shed abroad 

O ^er all earth's sorrowing ones, 
Casting away all crime and fraud, 

And make earth's children one. 

That light divine that Jesus shed 

Throughout his pilgrimage — ' 
That all his life, his footsteps led, 

And shines out in this age. 



40 (^oems for the Times. 

Light marks the history of the past — 

The light of genius rare, 
Brought forth in works that stand out, fast, 

And treasured up with care ; 

Yet still, "More light!" is all the cry — 
The moral light of heaven: 

To all the beings here that try 
To work may light be given. 

The light of wisdom true, O give 

The sisters in our land; 
Help them to labor, while they live. 

With head, and heart, and hand. 

Bestow that light upon earth^s sons, 

O let it shine out clear! 
That they may bid their sisters come 

And stand beside them here. 

Shine thou, O Wisdom^s truthful light. 

In every secret nook; 
Quicken the mind — help every sight 

To read from thy great book 

Of Nature, noble, grand and true. 

Each line upon each page. 
Till every child on earth we view 

May live up to the age ; 

May live and do to brother man 

According as he would 
That he should do to him again — 

Just as a brother should. 



Cheek. 41 

Then will our Master's golden rule 

Be lived by all on eartL; 
Then Wisdom's light will truly school 

All here to find true worth. 

Light, physical, and mental, too, 

Now shines out bright and clear; 
And Wisdom's light, that shines so true, 

Begins now to appear. 

The more we have the beauteous sight 

Of Wisdom's light so true. 
Our cry will be for light — more light — ■ 

Its brightness may we view. 

The cry of all will soon be made, 
In all their strength and might — 

In every nook, in every glade, 
O give us — give us light. 



' '|HILE humanity we're viewing, 

^ No two here alike we meet; 
But of all that we may mention 
Are those who will put on cheek. 

There's the doctor, with his bottles, 
As his patients he now greets; 

Takes this pulse and notes the throbbing- 
See him, as he puts on cheek. 



42 (Poems for the Times. 

There ^s the lawyer — now is pleading 
For his client. Talks so sweet — 

Right or wrong — he cares for nothing : 
He must surely put on cheeh. 

Then the minister is standing 
In the pulpit sacred there, 

As he pleads for human beings, 
Puts on cheeh in humble prayer. 

There 's the banker in his office, 
Looks all smiles from head to feet, 
• As he counts out all his interest 

See him ! Do n't he put on cheeh ? 

Then the editor so plaintive; 

He sends forth his weekly sheet — 

Talks "hard times'' — of children many- 
Tell me, don't he put on cheeh f 

Then the tradesman, always cunning, 
Now his trade here to complete; 

As his customer stands counting, 
Does his best to put on cheeh. 

Now our statesmen ; see them striving. 

As they office try to seek 
Every Avay, while they are running; 

See them — see them put on cheeh ! 

The wire-pullers of our nation. 
Talk so iOud in every speech; 

Tell me, can you find a being 
Work so hard to put on cheeh f 



Cheek. 43 

There's the miss, with scarce a shilling, 

Tries conditions to secrete ; 
Puts on ruffles, lace and flounces, 

Paints her face to put on cheek. 

And the dandy in tight trowsers. 

Steps so genteel on the street, 
AYith no money in his pockets; 

Now just see him put on cheek. 

Now look at that whisky-seller. 

As behind that screen we peep; 
As he sells that cursed poison. 

Now puts on an aivful cheek. 

Then the drinker takes his brandy — 

Now must go that wife to meet — 
(Takes a clove to stop its smelling;) 

Don't you think he puts on cheek f 

Now the lover talks so nicely. 

In a tone so low and sweet; 
Tells his sweetheart she is pretty — 

She can't see he puts on cheek. 

There's the milkman slowly riding; 

Now he drives into the creek. 
Dips the water in his milk-can. 

Sells it all — and puts on cheek. 

Now the farmer if you ask him, 

If great harvest he will reap — 
Just before 'tis time for shipping, 

Says 'tis small — and puts on cheek. 



44 ^oems for The Times. 

See the shoemaker, now fitting 
The best leather to your feet — 

One is good, the other damaged — 
So, you see, he puts on cheeh. 

The milliner will make your bonnet. 
So very small, but yet complete; 

The prices rise as hats grow smaller: 
Who says she does n't put on cheeh f 

Every trade, to be successful. 
That with others must compete; 

All that carry on a business — 
Every one — must put on cheek. 

All we see have got their failings — 
Try to cover them complete. 

That, to give a good impression, 
All work hard to put on cheek. 

If a person is accomplished. 

And we chance of them to speak — 

We at once will call them silly. 
If they can not put on cheek. 

'Tis the fashion in this nation. 
When we may each other meet. 

And we give a salutation. 

To stand up and put on cheek. 



(Decoration of Soldiers' Graves, 45 



(jPHEY came out so bravely^ in power and might — 
Ul Fought nobly for truth and national right — 

^ Gave their lives to sustain this country of ours 
In the days of rebellion, that horrible hour. 

They stood up for us firmly, in manhood so true — 
Those brave, gallant boys, all dressed up in blue — 
Gave themselves as a sacrifice here, to the shrine 
Of the great cause of freedom, here in our fair clime. 

Kebellion came now, within our dear land, — 
Our brothers, in part, raised a treasonable hand, — 
Tore down our own flag, the dear Stripes and Stars, 
And raised in its place the Stars and the Bars. 

Divided stood we in that terrible hour — 
We saw we had foes now invested with power, 
That were trying to crush beneath tyrants' heels, 
All freedom, and force us forever to yield. 

Then up came our armies of volunteers true — 
For freedom they stood — those brave " boys in blue,^' 
Gave freely their lives — were dyed all in gore : 
Such a sight our dear country had ne'er seen before. 

Within all our borders was nothing but strife ; 

And many a soldier gave up his dear life ; 

And many a heart in deep sorrow hath bled 

When they heard of hard battles, and brothers shot dead. 



46 ^oems for the Tifnes. 

Mothers, sisters, and wives in great agony cried 
"When brothers, and husbands, and sons had there died : 
Naught could then console, in their hour of distress. 
Bat the great " God of all/^ He brought them redress. 

Our land is now blessed with the angel of peace : 
From war's cruel scourge we have now found release, 
But where are those noble and brave boys in blue. 
That fought the hard battles and conquered the foe ? 

Some have reached their homes, and friends that they love; 
Many others have gone to that blest home above ; 
Some are buried in groups — their forms are laid low 
On the broad field of battle where fought they the foe. 

This day will we meet, and a tribute we '11 pay 

To the brave, who fought hard for this glorious day, 

When we, as a nation, united can stand 

Here under our flag — in Freedom's bright land. 

Let us strew, then, bright garlands of beautiful flowers — - 
Bouquets that are gathered from Nature's own bowers : 
Bright wreaths will we give to the venerable heads 
Of the brave, faithful soldiers whose forms are now dead. 

Come one, come all, to the hallowed spot 
Of the mortals now gone, but that are not forgot 
We will scatter the flowers o'er each lonely bed : 
This tribute we '11 pay to our honorable dead. 

As we march to the spot where their forms are laid low — 
The forms of those ones that fought battles below — 
We say. May their spirits behold with delight, 
This tribute we pay to defenders of right. 



A Scene. 47 

Rest peacefully there, thy labors are done ; 
Great battles thou 'st fought — great victories won : 
We crown thee with laurels. We place on thy bed 
These emblems of love for thee, brave, gallant dead. 



^ 'IHAT sound is that which greets my ear 
At this dread hour of night ?- 
Those moans so pitiful to hear- 
This horror-sickening sight ! 

What can it mean ? — can some one tell 
Why all this hurrying strife? — 

I ^m sure some evil has befell 
Its victim, here in life. 

A stranger passed. Said I, kind friend, 
Please tell me what this means, 

That all my queries here may end : 
What causes this sad scene ? — 

Have you not heard the news so sad — 

The fate of one beloved ? 
A brother's form lies yonder, clad 

For his last rest below. 

Intemperance dealt the fatal blow, 
And caused this dreadful crime. 

And caused these hearts to mourning go 
Throughout all future time. 



48 ^oems for the Times. 

A brother man^ whose brain was fired 

By demon alcohol ; 
The work we see, is his desire : 

He works the same with all. 

That brother had a noble heart 

When he was in command ; 
Stood ready, here, to do his part 

Where'er the suffering stand. 

He feels in sorrow, deep and strong, 
The aAvful deed he 's done — 

The crushing weight of this great wrong— 
The murder of his son. 

The father o'er that form now stands, 

In sorrow, deep and wild : 
With streaming eyes he wrings his hands, 

Crying, " My child ! my child V 

Why was my only help that 's left 

In years of tottering age. 
Snatched from my side, and I bereft 

Of this, my last dotage. 

Father, just take a step or so — 
Just look within those walls : 

You 've just a step or two to go. 
To find the cause of all. 

Look at thy brother man, and see 

What he is dealing out : 
That 's what has caused this misery. 

And crushed that form so stout. 



My (Bower. . 49 



This work is going on, each day 
Some heart is made to bleed ; 

And we are passing on our way, 
Paying but little heed. 

O, many, many hearts now ache 
Through this accursed means ! 

Many an one has met a fate 
Like this one we Ve just seen. 



ll'M seated in this quiet bower 

p 



,jB^ This calm and sweet retreat. 



Feelings of pleasure at this hour 
My soul doth now replete. 

Here have I sat, ah ! many times. 

And listened to the strain 
Of the sweet nestlings' warbling chimes, 

As oft it gently came. 

When sadness o'er my soul was cast. 
Like some dark, mournful cloud, 

Here have I oft my Maker asked 
For courage, while thus bowed. 

How many plans for future life. 
Hath here, beneath thy shade, 

Been ripened, ready for the strife, 
And carefully been laved. 
3 



50 (Poems for the Times. 

How many yearnings of the lieart, 

Beneath this arching here, 
Hath oft been felt, when friends must part, 

That brought the bitter tear ! 

How much of joy within my soul 

Have I enjoyed within 
This arbor, which I now behold, 

Joy unalloyed with sin. 

How many secrets have I here 

Confided to thy care ! 
Nor breathed to any mortal ear — 

None with me hath a share. 

How many castles have been built 

In this secluded spot ! 
How many thoughts of sin and guilt — 

Of this part I know not. 

Yea, many, many often sit 

"Within this arbor fair, 
With merry laughter, fun, and wit, 

To all that gathered there. 

How many blighted vows have been 

Eepeated o^er and o'er ! 
How many lovers tried to win 

The maiden's love of yore ! 

How many hours, at quiet eve. 
Have I spent 'neath thy roof, 

Turning God's Book from leaf to leaf. 
Finding there much reproof! 



jVly (Bower 51 

How many stories have I read 

Within this leafy bower ! 
Nor started e^er with fear or dread 

At an approaching shower ! 

And letters from dear friends away 

Have oft been read by me, 
And in my heart how much I 'd say 

Those friends I wished to see ! 

The forms of some that used to meet 

Within that quiet place, 
On earth we never more shall greet, 

Or see their smiling face ! 

For Death hath claimed them for his own, — 

They Ve gone to their long home ! 
The thought now comes, my heart feels lone ; 

Thinking of them, I mourn. 

Cold, blasting winds are blowing fast, 

Ere long this verdure green. 
All crisped, will on the ground be cast, 

No freshness will be seen. 

The chill of frost hath turned thy leaves 

A color bright, like gold; 
My heart within me seems to grieve 

At thy last story told. 

But change marks all our walks of life. 

From infancy to age : 
We can prepare for mortal strife. 

And pass to our dotage. 



■ 52 (Poems for the Tiri'ies. 

I leave thee now^ dear bower fair, 

To fill another place ; 
In other labors take a share, 

And other scenes to trace. 

I hope ere long, some future day. 
To sit beneath thy shade ; 

For now I go far, far away 
From where I long have staid. 

But time unfolds, each day and hour. 
New objects and new scenes; 

Yet shall I long for thee, sweet bower, 
And thy bright leaves of green ! 



"gxm^tt im lit iwpto m^lml W^mu^^l^. 

fATHER in heaven, O touch the hearts 
Of those within our land ! 
That of their bounty they impart 

Of what they may command. 
O, give them light ! that they may see 

The suffering ones of earth. 
And feel for poor humanity, 
That, o'er our land had birth. 

Those men of wealth, that wish to hold. 

Within their mighty grasp — 
That struggle on, so fierce and bold. 

Are gaining ground so fast — 



Grayer for the (People against Monopoly. 5* 

That hold the lands within this sphere, 

Monopolize the whole, 
And keep the poor ones poorer here — 

That sell their all for gold. 

O, God ! show them that in an hour 

Whene'er they least may think, 
That thou, in might, will show thy power 

O, help them. Lord, to think ! 
Our congressmen, within our halls — 

The men that make our laws — 
Ere thy great power may on them fall, 

O, help them, Lord, to pause ! 

Lord, show thyself in latter days, 

As when in olden times ; 
And may injustice flee away. 

And all be good and kind. 
O ! help the weak ! may each one see 

Some one beside himself; 
And may each, for humanity. 

Some good do with his wealth. 

Then will the poor — the trodden down 

Stand up in manhood's might, 
All tyranny that o'er us frowned 

Shall flee away from sight. 
Then wdll Thy kingdom come on earth 

Just as it is in heaven ; 
Our sorrow then will turn to mirth. 

True wisdom will be given. 



54 (Poems for the Times. 

And, Father, help the sick, the weak, 

The feeble lambs that cry ; 
O, make them patient, mild and meek, 

And feel that Thou art nigh. 
With eye of faith, make them to see 

The mighty God doth reign. 
To see their want and poverty. 

And noteth every pain. 

O, may they put their trust in Thee! 

For, in Thy power and might, 
The future will unfold ; we ^11 see 

That Thou doest all things right. 
If through the path of bloody strife 

The children must be brought. 
To teach thy laws, all good and right, 

Then let them thus be taught. 

The iron chains of slavery 
, Were sundered by Thy power, 

Now may this aristocracy 

E^er wait that fearful hour. 
When Thou in thunderous tones shall speak- 

*^ My people must be free,'' 
I '11 break the chains that bind the weak 

All o'er this country. 



The Scourge of War. 55 



iHY is it lawful, if we kill 

^^^ Our brother man to show our skill? 

Why is it man must war with brother- 
Demolish and destroy each other? 
O, is there not some other way 
To make things right without this fray? 

Here we behold, in every land, 
Man against man will raise his hand, 
And slaughter, in a single day. 
Thousands, whose lives are thrown away; 
And thousands more are coming on — 
Another day finds them all gone. 

Then the distress — the misery 
That 's brought to every family ; 
Heart-rending grief, and blasted hope 
To mortals left with life to cope. 
The widow is bereft — forlorn. 
And orphan children left to mourn. 

Brothers all taken — all — all gone! 
Sisters are weeping o'er their forms ; 
Fathers here tottering with old age, 
Have lost the son — the last dotage; 
Mothers that can not be consoled 
For loss of that dear son, so bold. 

Behold destruction all around — 
Poverty and wretchedness abound 



56 (Poefns for the Times. 

All through this scourge of cruel war, 
That ^s sanctioned and sustained by law. 
Levitical, or Jewish times, 
Keep up these sad and mournful crimes. 

It seems as though some other way 
Might be devised, without this fray; 
An arbitration of some kind. 
By different governments combined : 
Take peaceable and friendly means; 
Then might we stop these dreadful scenes 

A nation has a \\i\].Q jpique, 

They think revenge is very sweet, 

Will study, (that ^s the ruler great,) 

Some way neutrality to break. 

Then will declare to this, her brother. 

That they ^11 turn out and kill each other. 

Now, if a trouble should arise, 
And nations learn to be thus wise; 
They 'd call an arbitration there 
Of peaceful nations — choose with care; 
Those men of power should willing be 
To leave to this decision free. 

Adjust the ways and cease the woe 
That cruel war brings where it goes. 
Give satisfaction on all sides, 
And mend the breach, however wide : 
Act wisely — nobly, like the man — 
The image of our Maker's hand. 



The Scourge of War. 5-7 

Why keep the old Levitical law? 
And with each other be at war ; 
When Jesus brought a neio era, 
Of love to all where'er they are. 
Then let us walk beside our guide, 
Then by his theachings we '11 abide. 

All things, he saith, I make anew — 
Old customs, let them pass from view. 
If thou art smitten on one side, 
Turn thou the other one with pride; 
And if they take thy cloak away. 
Give thou thy coat to him, I pray. 

You say, perhaps, that this was meant 
For individuals, and was sent ; 
'T was given to people, that they might 
Teach love to all, and what is right; 
But nations are a different thing. 
They must have war sometimes within. 

Nations are made, as you may see, 
Of individuals that agree 
To choose a ruler T)'er the whole, 
And officers to hold control. 
The many people on the land 
Together, in one nation band. 

Why can 't the rule of love abound 
Where many, as where /ew, are found? 
Why not have international law. 
That does away with cruel war? 



68 (^oems for the Times. 

And difficulties all to settle 
Without the use of any metal. 

When will our Master's words come true? 
When will this time be brought to view? 
When " spears are bent to pruning-hooks, 
And swords to plow-shares will be crooked," 
And peace shall be proclaimed afar, 
And men shall have no scourge of war. 



SWEET flower of earth, we love 
1^ To look upon thy form. 
A gift from God above. 
Thy life has been through storm. 

Thy perfume, O how sweet ! 

As quietly thou givest 
Thy fragrance forth, to meet 

All other forms that liveth. 

Divinely art thou made — 

With what diversity ; 
Though growing in the shade, 

Which teaches modesty. 

I take thee by the stem. 

And view thee o'er and o'er : 

I pluck thy leaves, and then 
Thy fragrance is no more. 



The (Rose. 59 



Beyond this earthly sphere 
Thy beauty now has fled. 

Thy life is finished here, 
For now thy form is dead. 

We learn from thee, dear flower, 
That life comes from the dark; 

Beneath us, every hour, 

Lies hidden life's bright spark. 

We learn that if we strive 
To do what good we can, 

We shed abroad in life 
That good to brother man. 

And when old age shall come, 
And we must pass away. 

Our race will then be run, 
And we have had our day. 

Like thee, sweet, fragrant flower, 
We lay us down to die, 

And pass to other bowers — 
To realms beyond the sky. 

O let us, like the rose. 
Shed goodness all around. 

And go to our repose 

With stars upon our crown. 



^;0s (Poems for the Times. 

ii'(i% MA, may I go? The bell is now ringing, 

JJ^ And soon my dear school will have a beginning — 
Wash my face, comb my hair ; I want to look neat; 
As the teacher looks ^round, I will be in my seat. 

^' My lessons are hard, so quickly I '11 rmi 
To get there and study, ere school is begun. 
Those fractions do bother my brain all the time; 
Not a moment can I keep them out of my mind. 

" You know I must study if I want to rise. 
For, ma, don't you see, we all want the prize; 
And I tell you, mamma, how glad I shall be 
If ever I get through that old rule of three. 

^' I wish I was big as a woman, like you, 

I tell you, dear ma, great things I would do; 

I 'd show all the scholars that I would be first, 

If I studied so hard that my head would most burst." 

Little Clara said this that I have been telling ; 

And her brave little heart in her bosom was swelling. 

Those beautiful orbs so brightly were shining 

As she stood by my side, her arm round me twining. 

A brave little girl, was this Clara so sweet; 
Off to school did she go, so clean and so neat ; 
There trying to solve those problems with care. 
And store away knowledge for life to prepare. 



The Stripes and Stars. (31 

She grew to a womaiij so firm and so true; 
She tried in her pathway sweet flowers to strew. 
She patiently labored herself to prepare^ 
Grew wise in her childhood, escaped every snare. 

See that noble and true, that womanly mind, 
Looking out on the erring where'er she may find ; 
Speaking words that may guide them in pathway of right, 
And working for good — she labors in might. 

Kesj)ected by all, by many beloved, 

She's doing the work of her Father above. 

Ere long she will be taken within the great fold ; 

Her work is well done — she will reach the great goal. 

Then study your duty to do while here, 

That out in the future your light may shine clear ; 

IS^o matter how hard the problem to solve, 

Or difficult task on you may devolve. 

True courage will work all great problems in life; 
Prepare every one for great tumult and strife. 
Like Clara, the child, be cheerful at work, 
And never in life your task try t^) shirk. 



MnSIGN of freedom hung aloft, 
^ The glorious Stripes and Stars ! 
"^All nations honor pay to thee. 
O'er lands and seas afar ! 



62 (Poems for the Times. 

Our fathers fought through darkest storms 

This banner to defend ; 
Through many fierce and bloody fights 

Its course has often been. 

Millions can point with glorious pride 
Up to the Stripes and Stars, 

And shouts of freedom — loud huzzas 
Are given for stars and bars ! 

No slavish power can rest beneath 

Our nation's flag to-day ; 
All bands are broken — all set free, 

To do whatever they may. 

We see thy folds now floating out 

Since eighteen seventy-six ; 
All nations honor thee to-day, 

We ask, now, why is this ? 

Methinks I hear thee now reply : 
" They see and feel my power," 

Our chains are broken — we are free 
Since that rebellious hour. 

Nations are looking now to thee, 

And years will then unfold 
That all the nations of the earth 

Will strike for freedom bold. 

A model nation we now stand 
Beneath the Stripes and Stars, 

Freedom the tocsin sounds aloud 
Across the seas so far ! 



Try to (bo What's (Right. 

O, noble banner ! thou art mine ! 

My country, dear, I love ; 
No despot^s power can hold its sway — 

No Lord but God above. 

Within my home help me to work 

To drive away all wrong ; 
O, may my land still better be, 

And grow more firm and strong. 

May all that tends to crush its sons 

Be driven far away, 
And all that holds its daughters down 

Take from us. Lord, we pray ! 

O, may our glorious land become 

So great, so good and free, 
That all the world will raise the shout, 

" Hail, glorious liberty V 

Ensign of freedom, hung aloft, 

"We hail thee from afar ! 
Forever let thy folds float out — 

These glorious Stripes and Stars ! 



63 



I|0 matter where our lot be cast. 
Or what our trials are. 
Life's crosses will not always last, 
We all must have our share. 



^^ ^oems for the Times. 

Through all conditions, let us strive 

To get a ray of light ; 
With steadfast purpose, let us rise 

And try to do what ^s right. 

Though friends prove false and foes assail, 

Still let us keep in view 
That 7'ight must triumph and prevail, 

Then let us all be true ; 
If Wisdom's banner we would win. 

Let 's struggle with our might ; 
We '11 keep our motives pure within. 

And try to do what 's right. 

Our Father knows what sore distress 
His children must pass through. 

And he will guide us for the best, 
And tell us what to do. 

Then let us thank our Father,. God, - 
Who leads us through the night. 

And patiently we '11 bear the rod. 
And try to do what 's right. 



o^c 



IHOU angel of love, O ! take thy seat 

And dwell with mortal man : 
Reign thou through all this land complete,- 

Cast forth thy powerful Avand. 



C^eace. 65 

May mortals cease this Avar and strife — 

This carnage seen around — 
Scatter thy blessings — stop the blight 

Of discord^s wasting sound. 

Give man to see his brother man 

Stand near beside him here : 
Show him that 't is a murderous hand 

That deals with blows severe. 

If must needs be that man will cast 

This pearly so richly wrought^ 
Before the fierce and bloody blast 

Of selfishness thus sought, 

Then wilt thou let thy mighty voice 

Be heard in thunderous tones, 
Delivering the weak from forms of vice — 

Saying, -^ Let them alone!' 



v> 



O ! may this be as God thinks best : 
May vice be driven far down, 

And man rise up — be truly blest — 
And " peace on earth " be found. 

Sweet bird of promise, perch thyself 

Upon those lofty domes : 
Sit quietly, as some small elf. 

Within each cottage home. 

Thy law of love within each heart 
Implant so firm and strong ; 

Give hope in weakness — faith impart, 
And make the feeble strong. 



6Q (Poems for the Times. 

Teach men that love will truly give 

New life and light to all : 
Teach them that hate can only live 

As man may downward fall. 

O ! glorious messenger, draw near — 

Stand out in bold relief: 
To all the world wilt thou appear, — 

Dispel all gloom and grief. 

Prosperity must mark thy path, — 

And industry abound — 
Hope lifts from thee the power of wrath, 

Where glorious "peace is found. 

Long may this glorious land of ours 
Sing this sweet song of peace : 

And other warring, foreign powers 
Be led this scourge to cease. 

Soon let thy banner be unfurled 
And float from shore to shore : 

This war away be ever hurled — 
Be unknown evermore. 

May all grow wdse in future time, 

And try to others please ; 
And act the true and noble mind, 

And try to live in peace. 



J^ow and Then. 67 

'SN our grandmother's days, we often would find 

^ A sweet, youthful lass with a sensible mind. 

^ She would wear her large apron, so clean and so neat, 

And help her mamma till the work was complete. 

She would spin and would weave, with a very good grace, 
And never once thought this could her disgrace; 
She is dressed in " home-spun,'^ with apron of check, 
With nothing to hide the bare rounded neck. 

AYith roses her cheek would be blooming all day — 
With spirits as light as the nightingale gay 
That sings at his task from morning till night — 
With a fairy-like form, and a step quick and light. 

With eyes sparkling bright, these lasses would go 
To school through the winter, thro' cold and thro' snow. 
A mile — perhaps iiGo — would these daughters trudge on, 
Nor think it a very long way they had gone. 

Happiness beams from their faces so fair, 

By walking this distance, and breathing pure air. 

Health sat as a diadem on the fair brow — 

But a vast change we see from that time till now. 

A lass could then help in the kitchen, you know, 
And milk Sunday eve's, if she did have a heau. 
She 'd wash all the dishes — the children undress. 
And when all was finished, sit quiet and rest. 

She would wear plainer garments — she plainly would twir; 
Her hair up behind, or, perhaps it might curl 



6S ^oems for the Tinges. 

Around the fair head^ and oft was it said 
As a romp on the green^ the children she led. 

How different now — in these new, modern times ! 
Girls now have large heads, but very small minds. 
The most of the head is the chignon so large, 
She carries it well, though a troublesome charge. 

In flounces she dresses, from her head to her feet. 
With pannier and bustle, to make all complete. 
The elaborate dress of the modern young lass, 
That she in society may decently pass. 

High heels to her boots, in the center are placed, 
That she may step forth with a beautiful grace. 
She must stoop, for eifect, a charm it will lend ; 
Of necessity now, she puts on the bend. 

Her hat, but a phantom^ is perched on her head, 
She is small at the waist, as has often been said ; 
Her care is about whatever she shall w^ear. 
And " pow^der ^^ completes her complexion so fair. 

Disgraced is she now, if she ^s caught at her work, 
Her hand must ne'er suffer, or soiled be with dirt. 
She must learn to talk German or French, at her --ichool, 
For this Avill accomplish this beauty to rule. 

No part w^ould she take in the hushiess of life. 

Prepared she is not to face the sad strife. 

She hopes in the future to find a gay man. 

That has means to support her in style that is grand. 

No labor is given for this one to do, 

Prepared for great labors she is n't, that 's true. 



J<!ow and Then. 69 

She is fixing to marry, as that is the end — 
The height of her wishes it always has been. 

What a dull, aimless life a person must lead 
Who imagines that style is all that she needs ; 
Who spends all her time in fixing for " beaux/' 
Very little of lifers aims such person knows. 

The difference is plain — the distance we scan 
From our present times, and our ancestor's plans, 
Educated are we, to a certain degree. 
But not in those branches that they used to be. 

Take those times and cull their many pursuits — 
Take those that will make woman noble — astute ; 
Have our girls take conditions of now and of then, 
And prepare here to live independent of men. 

Let us throw off those notions that serve to degrade. 
And act well the part which for us was made. 
Let us teach all our daughters themselves to sustain, 
Nor fear if we know they must single remain. 

Prepare for the contest. In future we '11 find 
That woman must have greater scope for the mind. 
She must seek, in new avenues, labors in life 
Ere she be prepared for any man's wife. 

Let that soul that is full of that great power divine 
Kise quick from its lethargy — seek soon to find 
The mission intended ; that it may expand 
And become a true light wherever it stands. 

Let us women go on — take experience past — 
Apply to the present that part that will last ; 



70 ([^oems for the Times. 

Improve all our powers, then truly we '11 blend 
The past and the present — see good now as then. 



10 wi §tm ifiXktt. 

|IN childhood, my steps by thy hand 
m Were led in the pathway of right; 
^ Thou taught'st me ever to stand 

Up firm in my own strength and might. 
A father and mother, both these hast thou been, 
To lead my soul upward, and keep me from sin. 

Bereft of my dear mother's love. 

While in childhood's most sensitive time, 

Your council hath led me above 

The pathway of dark, gloomy crime. 

Thy kind, noble principles ever will stand 

As a bright beacon star in a desolate land. 

Time, with its un foldings I find — 

My lot must with others be cast; 
But the precepts instilled on my mind 

Are placed there forever to last. 
In whatever station through life I may fill, 
The lessons thou taught'st, I treasure them still. 

Thy love for thy children was deep — 
From the surface could never be seen : 

Through all my life I must keep 
My heart with remembrances green. 

In sickness and sorrow, the first by my side, 

With broad open heart, and purse open wide. 



To my (Dear Father. 71 

Consolation oft have I received 

In the hour of affliction and woe; 
An ear didst thou lend to my needs, 

And help didst thou give me to go. 
O, Father! dear father! what could I have done 
When dark clouds were hiding all light of my sun. 

O can I e'er thank thee enough 

For kindness and love thus bestowed, 

When I was thus facing rebuff 

From mortals, through life's stormy road? 

No, never ! I ne'er can my father forget ; 

may I in kindness remember him yet ! 

As thy steps are now numbering fast, 
And soon, then, thy form must lie down, 

May'st thou receive honors at last — 
May laurels be placed for thy crown . 

Good deeds to the needy so often thou'st done. 

Will beam forth as bright as the warm, shining sun. 

1 love thee, dear father, so kind — 
A pleasure to me has it been 

To meet thee, and glean from thy mind 

Great truths thou hast stored there within. 
A pleasure 'twould be to help thee, in need, 
And all of thy wants and thy sorrows to heed. 

Time passes so rapidly now. 

Soon thou wilt be taking thy leave; 
To the " grim monster," Death, must thou bow — 

The thought fills my heart deep with grief; 
Then motherless, fatherless, I may remain, 
Never to hear thy good council again. 



72 (Poems for the Times. 

But over that river so dark, 

May we all unite in that love 
Which of the divine is a part, 

Bestowed by our Father above : 
And join with the angels in that blessed abode) 
Secure from all wrath, and free from life's load. 






LONE here ! friendless and alone, 
Wt ^i*^^ 1^^ clear place I can call home. 
^ No word of sympathy for me — 
No heart to beat with friendship free — 
No one that I can fondly trust. 
Dying alone! and die I must. 
No hand to close my eyes in death, 
Or see me draw my parting breath. 
No sister's sigh — no mother's tear — - 
No friends to stand beside my bier. 
All — all is gloom before me now, 
But I must in submission bow; 
For God is just, I always hear, 
His punishment is so severe. 
Why could I not have been a man? 
They would not thus my conduct scan. 
I should not, then, thus lack for friends, 
No matter what my deeds had been. 
But there 's the curse — I see it plain, 
That caused me sorrow, grief, and pain, 
Because a woman I must be. 
And all this woe is heaped on me. 



The (Dying Oidcast. 73 

Where is that man that stole from me 

My name. My all that made me free ; 

That placed that mark upon my brow, 

And has forever left me now. 

He is a business man, I know, 

Perhaps he must neglect me so. 

He can 't forget his vows to me, 

O, no ! O, no ! that can not be. 

He ^11 come to me — Hark ! do n't I hear 

A footstep falling on my ear ? 

It must be him. Ah no ! 't is gone, 

And I must linger on alone, 

O, sister, would that I could tell 

Thee all the woe on me befell. 

that I could my heart unfold 
To every woman, young or old. 
Perhaps my story, told with care. 
Might teach all others to beware 
Of that vile monster they call man. 
That will work ruin where he can. 
O, God ! I 'm dying ! let me see 
Some mortal being cares for me. 

O, must I die alone? O, say 

1 have one friend with me to pray. 
JS^o — all alone — I ^m passing on — 
I feel my breath is nearly gone. 

O, for one drop to quench my thirst! 
O ! O ! my heart will surely burst. 
'T is almost o'er. I wish he 'd come. 
Father — mother — still no one ! 
One drop of water on my tongue: 
O, can I not just have but one? 
4 



74 (^oems for The Times. 

'T is growing dark. I am going now, 

I feel the death-damp on my brow. 

O, let me see if I can pray ! 

O, let me speak ! What shall I say : 

Father, forgive what I have done ; 

Give me a passport through Thy Son. 

O, help me from temptation clear, 

And evil, too, that's ever near. 

O, give me grace to die alone. 

Amen — amen ! I'm gone — I'm gone ! 



fHE screen is placed before all here, 
No matter where they stand? 
All nature seems to shine out clear. 
So noble and so grand. 

The day may dawn bright from the east, 

Ere half its course is run. 
Flitting before the sky of peace 

Dark shadows often come. 

No realm so beautiful or grand 

Can boast of glory here. 
But darkened shadows often stand, 

Sometimes to chide severe. 

No cot, though humble, or tho' poor, 

But hath a cheery light ; 
No glen or parish, heath or moor, 

But hath its day and night. 



Shadows. 75 

No cheery home, however bright, 

But, look behind the door. 
You ^11 find a shadow, dark as night. 

Cast there upon the floor. 

No heart, however light and free, 

But may, at future time, 
Have shadows of adversity 

Cast o^er that cheerful mind. 

In truth, a skeleton is hid 

Beneath each human heart. 
No power is given here, to bid 

It ever to depart. 

Each one, in life, that walks or runs, 

Must cast a shadow down. 
As he or she in contact comes 

With rays of light thrown ^round. 

Reflection brings the rays of light 

In raport with that form ; 
The shadows contrast with the bright. 

And throws its shade thereon. 

No shadow can there e'er be made 

Without these rays of light; 
Through joy, we often are repaid 

For passing through dark night. 

Life is made up of light and shade — 

Of joy and sorrow here; 
The child of earth must often wade 

Through grief sometimes severe. 



76 (Poems for the T lines. 

We learn this lesson in this life, 
From shadows cast around : 

That we must face a world of strife 
That happiness be found. 

Resigned, O let us all be here, 
Nor wish to change our lot ; 

Nor think our trials most severe — 
That others' woe, hath not. 

No — we all have our sunshine here — 
All have our shadows too; 

Preparing us for other spheres 
Just out beyond our view. 



I- 

5fi| TOUCH my pen with living fire ! 

SJ Do thou now here my thoughts inspire ! 

' While I shall sing of one, now gone. 
That lived to bless the sorrowing one. 

Can I show forth to mortals here 
The real worth of one so dear ? 
Can I, to you, in truth impart 
What dwelt within that noble heart ? 

The task is hard — it can ^t be done ; 
Nor take his virtues, one by one, 
And give to mortals here below, 
His greatness can we ever show. 

His virtues reach beyond all time — 
That great, benevolent, good mind, — 



Ode to Charles (Dickens. 77 

No mortal can with pen, e'er tell 
What power within that form did dwell. 

The weak — the helpless ones, he gave 
True words of comfort. Helped to save 
The oppressed — the feeble — from those ills 
That all our social circles fill. 

He never sought for ease in life, 
But ever ready for the strife, 
He girded armor for the fight. 
And always battled for the right. 

All o'er our earth his name will sound — 
And, as each year may roll around. 
True wisdom we may always see 
Flowing along, in streams so free. 

He 's gone, in form — in spirit, near : 

He left his works behind him, here : 

In future, let us sing the song : 

" Charles Dickens lives, and battles wrong.'' 

His works stand out, now, one by one — 
Not finished — no — but just begun ; 
The last on earth in form, he gave, 
And labored with true courage brave. 

His latest task half done, we see. 
Ere God, his Father, set him free : 
Begun on earth — preparing, here, 
To finish in another sphere. 

Labor did he, while dwelling here — 
Laboring, he went to other spheres : 



78 ^oems for the Times. 

With pen in hand, beside the river, 
He crossed — and stood in the forever. 

England has lost a noble son : 
His noble name will long be sung 
By those — his kinsmen — o'er the sea, 
From time to all eternity. 

We look, and surely Ave behold 
True courage in this man so bold : 
Much good can we accomplish here. 
If we will let our light shine clear. 

Example given in him, we scan — 
This laboring, energetic man — 
A pattern of nobility, 
Charles Dickens, we behold in thee. 



i 



[,HE golden orb of day is seen 
[ Approaching from the east, 
This beautiful, majestic queen 
Gives forth her great behest. 

" I come,'' she says, " to herald forth 
To mortals on your sphere. 

That golden morn follows my course : 
O, mortals, dost thou hear ?'' 

Ere long the sun in grandeur comes. 

And shines as in a blaze. 
Its rays are darted one by one. 

As round the earth it plays. 



M^dsuw.fl^er (bay. 79 

Midsummer ! O, to bear tlie heat 

Of a bright, golden day ! 
Insects around your head retreat 

In their accustomed way. 

O, give me some secluded spot, 

Within some shady nook — 
Some place to shun those beams so hot * 

That blind me as I look ! 

Ah ! I have found the wished retreat — 

Beneath the old oak tree, 
Where gentle zephyrs round my seat 

Are whispering so free ! 

With fan in hand, I sit me down — 

(I brush the flies away) — 
I'm comfortable upon the ground. 

For once, this summer day. 

Ere long I feel around my form 

The " sweet restorer,'^ Sleep, 
Hath come to comfort one so warm, 

To bring me rest so sweet ! 

Enclosed within his sweet embrace, 

From outward sorrows free, 
I dream my soul goes out to trace 

In lands of mystery. 

A form before me stood erect. 

Upon his brow I saw 
Written, " Behold upon this crest 

The coronet of war !" 



80 ^oems for the Times. 

There I beheld the jewels bright 

That told the story well ; 
Of many a fierce and bloody fight 

Each one could plainly tell. 

Each told of some great battle deed, 
Some passion there subdued, 

Which caused his heart to fight and bleed, 
But there it plainly stood ! 

There diamonds, rubies, opals came, 

In great or less degree. 
As anger, vengeance, overcame 

And set that bound soul free. 

The appetites were all controlled, 

All governed for his good ; 
There came the jewels forth that told 

And prominently stood. 

There I beheld before my sight. 

So noble, great, and grand, 
A perfect and a living type 

Was shown me in this man. 

I looked, and there was shining forth 
Bright stars from off that crown ; 

I saw their meaning, noble worth 
Was always shining down. 

Good deeds of love to fallen man 
Came forth in blazing light. 

And on that brow traces I 'd scan 
That told of many a fight. 



Midsummer (Day. 81 

Each, every action of his life 

Stood forth in bold relief, 
Placed there to show how fierce the strife 

With mortal pain and grief. 

" Enough/^ I said, '' I '11 battle on 

Through this eventful life ; 
Whate'er I can, I '11 do, in form, 

Nor care how hard the fight." 

I '11 strive my passions to control, 

My appetite subdue; 
And thus will I prepare my soul 

To render what is true. 

Then will I work for good while here, 

Nor care for grief or pain ; 
In future will I know and hear 

I 've labored not in vain. 

The vision passed, and I awoke ; 

The sun was pouring down, 
And still beneath that shady oak 

I sat upon the ground. 

Great beads of perspiration stood 

All o'er my hands and face ; 
The heat oppressed, it seemed my blood 

Had boiled while in that place. 

I rose, and wiped from ofi* my brow 

The moisture all away : 
The heat ! I almost feel it now 

As on that summer day ! 



^82 (Poems for the Times. 

But here have I a lesson learned, 

To bear with fortitude 
"Whatever may come to me in turn, 

What God has given for good. 

If summer's heat or winter's snow, 

It matters not to me ; 
'T is for our good, our Father knows, 

His love to us we see. 

I '11 govern all my passions here, 

Impatience I '11 restrain ; 
I '11 stand the test while on this sphere — 

While dwelling on this plain. 

Then will I see the good in all, 
And live to work for good, 

And try to heed my brother's call. 
As every mortal should. 



|IME will unfold to all complete. 
As we are passing, day by day. 
Each in our own accustomed way, 
That for each bitter there 's a sweet. 

Crosses in life we all must meet, 
Which makes us firm, and true, and strong, 
And teaches us the right and wrong, 
And for each bitter brings a sweet. 



Every (Bitter hath its Siveet. 83 

Affliction comes — we can't retreat; 
We never can consider why 
We all must suffer here, and die : 
We think our bitter hath no sweet. 

But time rolls on, we climb the steep ; 
There we behold with wandering eye, 
Why we are called thus low to lie : 
We find our bitter hath its sweet. 

Immortal life — joyous, replete 
With bliss beyond the lower vale; 
We look, and lo ! this sight we hail : 
Here for our bitter there 's a sweet. 

While wandering here, the eye oft greets 
The flowers, so beautiful, sublime ; 
Partaking fragrance, soon we find, 
Alas ! a bitter in the sweet. 

For often does the vision greet 
Flowers that are beautiful to view, 
Obnoxious fragrance hath imbued ; 
There find the bitter with the sweet. 

In every thing in life we meet. 
All hath, we find, its counterpart 
Which causes sorrow, pain or smart; 
But yet this bitter hath its sweet. 

The good and wise may take a seat 
Beside the low and vulgar ones ; 
Both in the race of life must run — 
One is the bitter, one the sweet. 



84 (To ems for the Times. 

In every being God completes, 
That dwells upon this earthly plane, 
Dwell both the good and bad the same; 
Below the bitter is the sweet. 

Dig down with love's bright weapon, deep 
In every heart, though low 'tis sunk; 
Of vice it may have often drunk. 
Yet 'neath its bitter there 's a sweet. 

In Nature's works, and art complete, 
We find these opposites both there ; 
And if we study well, with care. 
We '11 cull the bitter from the sweet. 

Our toils in life bring lessons deep. 
And cause us all to upward look. 
And learn from life's immortal book. 
To draw from bitter all the sweet. 

Then let us take this life, replete 
With joy and sorrow, charms and cares; 
With others let us take our shares, 
And 'neath its bitter find its sweet. 



MHEEE 'S the love of the beautiful, love of the fair, 
jffl| That over our earth is seen ; 
^^ The love of the songsters in the air, 
The love of the beautiful stream. 



Love of J^ature. 85 

The love of the forest, the love of the plain, 

Love of a cottage rare, 
The love of the moon in its wax and wane. 

The love of the flowers so fair. 

The love of the cataract's mighty sweep, 

Down deep in its bed below, 
The love of the mountain's towering steep. 

The love of the valley below. 

The love of a dog, in his trusty way. 

The love of the meadows green. 
The love of the lambs, that frisk and play. 

And the love of our dress is seen. 

But there is a higher and holier love. 

That mortals should possess. 
That leads them higher and higher above, 

To the realms of perfect rest. 

'Tis the love of Gody in the human soul, 

^New life and light will impart. 
Of all other love, this covers the whole. 

It happy makes the heart. 

This love will lead us on in life, 

To deeds of kindness here. 
And cheer us on through battle and strife. 

And make our pathway clear. 

We need not love less of the beautiful here. 

But more and more we will find 
That nature, so beautiful, shines out clear. 

And more beautiful to our mind. 



86 (Poe'ins for the Times. 

Then let us love all we possess on earth — 

Our brother and sister too ; 
In all that we see, we'll study their worth, 

And show that our love is true. 

We see our great Father, in all he has made- 

In the glorious sun and stars ; 
The earth, we see, by his hand is stayed — 

The planets all, Saturn and Mars. 

The worlds on worlds that daily run 

Their course through the shining heavens ; 

The milky-\vay, in the heavens is hung, 
And Pleiads-stars of seven. 

O, glorious Father, we feel, as we look 
At thy work, in heaven and on earth. 

That we love to read from Nature's book, 
And know and see thy Avorth. 

O, help us to study, with all our might 

To learn all we can from thee ; 
To do whatever to us seemeth right. 

And love whatever we see. 



iW0 lute 0f %^u. 

^f^E wandered by the garden wall, 
^ We gathered flowers together. 
And listened to the thrush's call ; 
('T was bright and sunny weather.) 



Two (Pair of Eyes. * 87 

My eyes were black and her's were blue, 

We thought nmch of each other : 
Her heart was young, and trusting too ; 

Wq loved as sister, brother. 

Children were we in early life, 

Our hearts were young and tender. 

Neither thought e'er of future strife — 
Of what we both must render. 

But happy children were we two, 

Kaught could our hearts e'er sunder : 

My eyes f^ere black and her's were blue 
As the skies that we played under. 

I was the eldest. She was fair. 

As fairy clouds at summer. 
Floating along through balmy air, 

More than our eyes could number. 

O, those were happy moments then ! 

I think of them with pleasure — 
When she and I played on the glen, 

And counted o'er our treasures. 

Long years have passed since that bright time 

When we played there together ; 
We both had faced the piercing wind 

Of life's cold, stormy weather. 

My eyes, so black, and wondrous clear : 

(And must I tell the story) 
Have many times, with drink been bleared. 

My face has oft been gory. 



' (Poems for the Tifi^es. 

Those bright, yet melting eyes of blue, 
Have sunken grown, by weeping. 

I loved her, yet (I speak what ^s true) 
I Ve sowed tares for her reaping. 

I think : O, could I now recall 
The past ! as I Ve been thinking, 

Of sin and sorrow that befall 
The victims of hard drinking. 

O, could I speak in thunder tones 
To those that cause this sorrow! 

And could the sound all o'er be'blown, 
With blasts that tell the horror 

Of wretchedness, and woe, and crime, 
Of rows that come fco fighting; 

Of tortures — death from time to time; 
Of future prospect blighting. 

And much — yea, every evil thing 
We have, within our nation. 

That ^s caused by this terrific thing : 
This plague, this great potation. 

If by one sound, and that the last 

That I should ever utter, 
'T would stop this pestilence, this blast. 

And lift men from the gutter. 

I 'd do it quick, and then lie down, 
And take my final exit 

To heaven above — to where I 'm bound- 
Say : take my life, accept it. 



The M other =in--= Law. 89 

But no, I can 't recall the past, 

I must think all this over : 
Those eyes, that once on me were cast, 

Now lie beneath the clover. 

She stood as firm and true to me. 

Through life's dark, stormy weather ; 

But, being frail, was soon set free. 
Thus gone to the fo¥ever. 

Thank God ! I 'm noio a sober man. 

And mean to stand so ever ; 
And in the bright and heavenly land 

O, may we ne'er be severed ! 

O, may those eyes of shining blue 

On me once more be smiling ; 
And may these black ones look up true, 

With naught their light defiling. 

May she forgive me for the past. 

My love bind us together ; 
O, may my lot with her's be cast. 

And may no power e'er sever. 



^J^ITHIN that circle comes 
^Sl A young and tender flower, 
■ Hereafter to become. 

Of this, thy house a dower. 



90 (Poems for the Times. 

The chosen of that son, 
She gives to him her all; 

The two become as one, 
His wife she is installed. 

How do you here receive 

This tender being now? 
Into her ear you breathe 

Words that will make her bow 
Her head with grief and pain : 

Her heart sinks deep, deep down- 
It seems that ne'er again 

Will joys for her be found. 

This plant, so sensitive, 
Feels keenly all you say; 

She feels she ne'er can live 
In this unhappy way. 

Complaint after complaint 

• Is poured into the ear 

Of her dear husband, 'gainst 
This wife, to him so dear. 

She bears, with fortitude. 

All that she hears from him ; 
And shows you gratitude. 

And trys your love to win. 
But still you can not see 

In this poor child of- earth, 
That 's dwelling now with thee, 

Naught that 's of any worth. 

She lives here for a time — 
Has children — for them cares : 



The M other =in^Laiv, 9i 

Perplexed and crushed in mind, 

Surrounded here by snares. 
Her husband now complains — 

She feels dejected — low ; 
She ne'er expects again 

Enjoyment here below. 

"With children young and small 

She 's left in this cold world, 
To care for these — her all — 

And hear what 's at her hurled. 
Her husband passes on, 

And she is left to mourn; 
Death snatches up that form — 

He goes to his last bourne. 

Do you draw near to her — 

Those little ones — apart 
Of your own life, as 'twere, 

A place find in your heart? 
Or do you turn with words 

To crush, and keep them down? 
Have they not often heard 

Harsh words, and seen a frown ? 

Did you encourage her — 

Left here to fill the place 
Of father and mother — 

A frowning world to face? 
Ah, no ! discouragement 

In every step she finds; 
It seems that some one meant 

Those fetters strong to bind. 



92- (^oems for the Thnes. 

In every eifort here 

To gain a livelihood, 
You gave your words severe — 

Also her little brood. 
God pity her while here! 

And friends, O wilt thou send 
Her lonely heart to cheer! — 

Assistance wilt thou lend? 

She toils both night and morn — 

Her needle quickly flies ; 
She 's feeling sad, forlorn, 

As daily she supplies 
A small, small pittance now, 

For those beside herself; 
Plainly the wrinkled brow 

Shows fast her waning health. 

But God is watching o'er 

This poor, forsaken one, 
His promise overmore 

Unto the widow comes. 
A mate she chooses here. 

And he, in future time, 
Will help her way to clear, 

And soothe that weary mind. 

The clouds are passing now. 
All gloom will soon dispel 

From that once mournful brow, 
Smiles of her pleasure tell. 

But, mother, have you been 
Whatever she stood to you. 



The M other =in=L aw. 

And have you tried to win 
That love from her so true?- 

Remember, God is just, 

And you may sometimes see 
That bow to him you must, 

And hear his great decree. 
O, mother-in-law, I pray, 

Be kind to those that come 
With thee to make their stay — 

The wife of thy dear son. 

Or son, that e^er may take 

Thy daughter for a wife, 
O, ever try to make 

All pleasant through his life. 
Then wilt thou truly be 

A mother in thy heart; 
And they will prove to thee 

They 're of thine house a part. 

Frail mortals on our sphere 

Have impressions true. 
But kindness brings us near — 

Brings goodness forth to view. 
O, take that child of earth. 

And make her one with you. 
Love bringetli forth true worth, 

And maketh all things true. 



94 ^oems for The Times. 



^HE age, all so glorious, dawning we see, 

When woman shall rise, stand up and be free ; — 

''^^ When she will able and willing to stand 
Side by side, in the conflict, with her brother, man : 
Her place, so long vacant, ere long she will fill, 
And there do her duty, with hearty good-will : 
Those discordant elements will pass away. 
As the bright, shining sun turns the night into day : 
O, glorious work ! O, glorious age ! 

That unfolds and brings forth to our country this page — 
That prepares for a woman a way of relief: 
From the wrongs she has suffered in sorrow and grief. 
Her great, noble heart will work out some plan 
To redeem from intemperance her dear brother man : 
We scarcely can think of the good near at hand 
When the woman, shall have the vote at command. 
O, welcome her then ! — throw open the doors ! 
O, kindly receive her, and say nevermore 
That it is not a place befitting her sex ! 
If her husband is fiy'st, then let her go next : 
Wherever her husband and brother can go. 
That place is befitting the wife, you must know : 
Many brothers — good, noble souls, over our land, 
Are stepping right up, and giving a hand : 
A few will we name, in the course of our rhyme. 
That are aiding the cause, by their labor and time : 
There is Beecher — the noble, the tried and the true ; 
And a Phillips, who stood by the colored man, too : 



A Hint. 95 

A Smith and a Stimson, who stands by our side ; 
And a good brother Tilton^ with heart open wide. 
Many more might we mention in this, had we time, 
Who are working with us — who let their light shine : 
But this will suffice, for the present, we say, 
Let us struggle with hope, for the glorious day : 
That equality, social, political, too. 
Will be given to all, both to me and to you. 



'H WANDERED away o'er heather and glen, 
My feet o'er the pathway often had been ; 
By my side, were two bright eyes, azure blue: 

Together we walked as most children do. 

My dear little Katie now stumbled and fell — 
How quickly I helped her to rise you might tell : 
How gladly I stood by the side of this lass. 
My arm round her waist I quickly did pass. 

Did you hurt you, my dear ? I quickly did say — 
She answered : — O no — not much, any way : 
If I 'd been all alone, do n't you know, said this lass. 
That I would not have tumbled down here on the grass. 

If you 'd been alone, do n't you think you 'd have missed ? 
Your foot might have slipped, with none to assist : 
You then might have lain there and suffered with pain, 
And perhaps you could never have risen again. 

This path here is narrow to walk in, you see, 
So we, in this place, should go single, if we 



96 ^oents for the Times. 

Y/ould wish not to stumble, fall down, and get hurt, 
And, perhaps, get our garments all covered with dirt. 

But in the wide road we could travel together — 
Side by side we could walk and help, lead each other : 
But while in the path that is narrow, we hnd 
There is nothing to hold — no contract to find. 

If you wish to assist, of course ^t is your choice ; 
If not, you can pass without lifting your voice : 
You might leave me to struggle along in disgrace, 
While you could find shelter in most aiiy place. 

Let me learn to go on and care for myself: 
Alone let me try — not ashing your help : 
If I learn here to walk, and bear my own load. 
Why when we get ready, we '11 walk in the road. 

Do n't you know that sometimes we may walk side by side 
In the broad road of life, so long and so wide. 
And perchance you might leave me — how helpless I 'd be 
If I 'd not learn this lesson before. Don't you see? 

Let me stand like a woman, in the path I must go. 
And meet with what comes, as I go to and fro — 
And if you see fit to help^ if I fall, 
I '11 be thankful to you, as 'd friend. That is all. 



SfcWAY out in the past, long, long ago, 
Ip There was a voice upon the mighty deep, 
"'" Speaking in thundrous tones from out the great 
Expanse of space. And even now is seen 



Creation. .97 

Chaotic matter, as it floats along, 

Obeying the Almighty's great command 

Which saith, O come together all ye lands, 

And all the sea, and all that is thereon, 

Tahe form. The Great, great Maker saith to you : 

" Show forth my great creative power to all 

The planets, stars, and all that dwell in space, 

That they in thee may see the Almighty's face." 

There ! now hehold in space what now is seen ! 

Chaotic matter waves with force and might — 

Along, around, above, on every side. 

This mighty power, that now controls all law — 

That governs and controlls all mind, now speaks 

To life. Those elements, we see, obey 

The great command that now is given to them. 

Now can we see new forms arise from naught ; — 

The mighty deep is brought within our view. 

And utter darkness is now seen thereon. 

No ray of light is seen — all, all is darh. 

We see great heaving forth without the great 

Expanse of space, — great tumult from within. 

A¥e ask, And is this all — the final end — 

The consummation of this mighty work — 

This great confusion now that 's going on ? 

Hark ! do you hear that sound approaching now ? 

The same great trumpet speaks — we hear again — 

These words we hear, have now come floating on — 

And loudly spoken, " Let the sea divide !" — 

What now is seen ? Now take a peep away 

Back, to those great, eventful times, that mark 

The history of the great formation here. 

What doth our eye beliold ? O, hear the sound ! 



98 (poems for ike Times, 

As of a mighty torrent rushing past. 

And there, from out the great, broad, liquid fold 

We see the mighty continent of land. 

And as we further see, all dotted o'er. 

The islands, as they now appear to view. 

Still, darkness reigns supreme, — no light is seen 

Approaching ; still no moon, or star — though small — 

No silver light from aught beneath our feet. 

Or heaven above. But one long, black, and quite 

Impenetrable night. Silence completes 

The awful grandeur of the magic scene. 

But listen now ! we hear that tone once more. 

What is the meaning of the great command 

That greets our ears, which says these words so loud : 

^^ Let there be light V^ With one great, mighty crash 

The sun bursts forth, in all its splendor bright — 

The silvery moon and stars shine out there, one 

By one, to light creation, in its great 

And onward march of time. Now see the clouds 

Approach, as if to hide the great work of 

Omnipotence. But listen ! hear the song 

Now wafted on the breeze. The chorus fills 

The air. The planets, sun, and stars all join 

The heavenly strain so sweet. The song they sing 

Of welcome now is given. Our soul is thrilled 

With joy. We listen, — soon we hear these words : 

" Another world is born P^ Now dies the notes 

Away. The sun now goes to sleep awhile, 

And thus the day and night divides. The moon 

Walks on, the planets and the little stars 

All follow on, to cheer the earth with light. 

And can we yet behold wliate'er the great 



Creation. 99 

Design can be? what ultimatum will 

Be reached? What is the mighty Maker's wish ? 

AVhy was this work commenced ? We ask of him 

The question why. We hear a voice upon 

The deep, come sounding through the starry vault 

Of heaven. We hear these words, that saith, " Wait thou 

And see.^^ We cast our vision o'er all this, — 

This mighty continent of land in view. 

We penetrate down deep beneath its crust, 

And there we find strata on strata lies 

Of solid rock. There we may see the great 

Almighty's work. Unfolding into life, 

Down deep imbedded there, formation we 

May now behold. The mighty God, the great 

Supreme, hath there ingrafted, deep within 

That marble bed, germs of immortal life. 

But is this all of life the earth will e'er 

Contain ? This all the great unfolding here ? 

Is this the climax reached ? Nay, look upon 

These mossy sides. We see a something now 

Appearing like an animation there ; — 

A something, breathing like a living thing, — 

A form, like those this world of ours is now 

Inhabited. Now comes the plant by which 

This being may subsist. And is this all 

Of life ? This all the great, the wise design ? 

The Alpha and the End ? Does all end here ? 

Nay, look ! see what before us now we view. 

Another still of higher form now comes. 

And higher — more unfolded they become. 

Thus, as we view creation o'er and o'er. 

We must pronounce our Father's works all good. 



100 (Poefin^s for the Tinn^es. 

Is all now finished ? all completed now ? 

The whole in order ? Is his wish fulfilled ? 

Ah no ! — the council now is plainly seen, 

Saying, ^^ Let us make man, the last of all." 

We ^11 make him in the image of ourselves, 

To hold dominion over all the land : 

Through him all earth will prove its maker here, 

And go beyond to upper, higher spheres : 

He took the potter ^s clay into his hand. 

And moulded it there out, and into form. 

And there it lay — a thing inanimate : 

The Great Creator then looked o'er the whole — 

All lower orders that he now had found — 

Considered all the past, the present good. 

And all the future that might still unfold : 

And said, " This form — this man, that w^e have made 

That now^ before us lays — must hold controll 

O're all the land, and sea, and all thereon : 

Must have that power supreme — that wisdom true — 

Must liken unto us, a being be : 

He must become as one of us in life. 

We make him God in man. And thus you see 

That he must breathe our breath, that such may be : 

And saying this — he breathed upon that form. 

And it became a living soul." Now view the work : 

Now see the swaying to and fro of that 

New form that they have made. The nostrils now 

Distend — the limbs to move — he stands erect, 

And now we view Almighty power in man : 

The great divine Creator now we see 

W^ithin the form of man. Now going forth 

Within that garden fair. And is this now 



Creation. 101 

The whole, all now completed — finished — done ? 

Ah no ! What do we hear now commg forth 

From out this being new — just brought to life ? 

We see him sad, complaining of his lot : 

He seeks his Maker^s face, and tries to tell 

The cause of all the sadness he now feels : 

He says, "O Father, now behold the birds, 

The beasts, and all — yea, every living thing — 

All hath a mate to help in all they do — 

All — all but me — the greatest thou hast made : 

I am alone within this place so fair : 

I know that all was made for me, so good. 

Yea, all beneath my feet, and o'er my head ; 

But still I am alone. No one to see 

As T may see, or comfort or console : 

O, Father, make for me a mate, I pray.^' 

The Father answered, " Look, be not in haste : 

The mate, perhaps, that I may make, may not 

Be to thy liking. Do thou study well : 

And she may lead thee into wrong, and thou 

May'st sorry be at thy request now made ; 

In future she may be to thee in life, 

A mate, perhaps, to lead thee far astray : 

But think. And when I see thee once again. 

And thou shouldst think the same as now thou dost, 

And willing be, to promise what I ask, 

Then I a mate, a partner, will thee make. 

To go with thee through all thy journey here.'' 

The man now thought upon this great request, 

And said, within his heart, "O give me her! 

I am so lone, so comfortless while here." 

Now when the Maker came within that place, 



102 (Poems for the Times. 

The man came forward — said, ^^ O hear my mind ! 

give to me the one to make me blest ! 

1 am so lonely here, O, give her me!" 

The Maker saith to him, " Now hear me tell, 

Of what I liken her unto, and how 

That thou must act toward this mate for you." 

The Maker saith to him, " Not from thy head, 

Nor even from beneath thy feet can she 

Be taken. Nay, she never here must rule 

The man — nor either must she e'er be crushed 

Beneath his weight — but side by side she must 

Go on through life, co-equal here with thee : 

She will be sensitive to ills in life, 

O, then be kind ! and love this being dear, 

That her perceptive mind may not become 

Discouraged. Then, indeed, will she be what 

To you will make you happy and content : 

And dost thou ever promise to fulfill, 

Whatever I here may ask of thee to do ? 

If so, I then will now proceed at once 

To form the mate." The man looked up and said, 

"I care not. Father, what for me thou make — 

O, any thing but such a state so lone !" 

The Father answered, " Then 't is well for thee : 

I will proceed at once." A sleep profound 

Came o'er that man — the sleep nigh unto death; 

The final sleep of death. And from the side 

Of this — the man — the Maker then did take 

From out the side of him a rib to make 

This woman. Now, we see, the work so great 

Is going on. Now note those eyes of blue, 

So heavenly and divine — that silken hair 



Creation. 



103 



So soft, and flowing round that comely head — 

Those lips of cherry red — that lovely form — 

And feet so small, that e'en a Crispin would 

Delight to fit. Her bearing, too, was grand : 

'Twas finished. All was done — she stood erect — 

A lovely woman, there in Eden fair : 

The man awoke, and there before his eyes 

This woman stood, this beauty to his soul. 

He looked in mute astonishment, and said, 

"O lovely creature! whence, O whence came thou?'' 

The Maker said, in answer to these words : 

" She came from out thy side, and near thy heart, 

Beneath thine arm. And now I tell thee why : 

Because beneath thine arm, that thou may be 

To her a great protector here on earth : 

And near thy heart, that thou mayst always love 

Her as thyself: and from thy side, that thou 

May both stand side by side, while here on earth, 

And equal be to all the task at hand." 

And now the man addressed her thus: he said, 

^^ O bone of mine ! O flesh of me ! in thee, 

Why can H I love thee as myself through life, 

And cherish thee through all we both may pass ! 

I give to thee the half of all I have. 

To do whatever thou wilt. I love thee now 

With all my heart. O say ! wilt thou be mine? 

And I '11 be thine, to walk together on 

Through all this life. And wilt thou love me too? 

say, fair creature, tell me — tell me true ! " 
This woman answered, now, the man. She said : 
" So dear to me thou hast so soon become, 

1 love thee better now then I can tell. 



104 (Poems for the Times. 

My heart is thine. O always do be mine! 
Mine now — henceforth — to all eternity ! '^ 
The man now gave this woman one sweet kiss; 
And thus the pair were wedded here in life. 
But listen ! Hear the music, as it comes 
Floating along, throughout the heavenly dome — 
These words of greeting come upon the breeze 
" O, glory be to God ! the great, the good — 
For all that he has made in earth and sky ! 
And for this last — this crowning work so great — 
This gift to man. She shall redeem for him 
The world. All glory to his name we say, 
For this great gift — the last — the best of all — 
Of all his great creation ! Hers shall be 
To help unfold the good within the man, 
And make him what he e'er should be in life; 
And lead him up to God in works of love.'' 
The music dies away, and, arm in arm, 
This man and wife, within that lo^^elv spot, 
Go forth, to work for all they see 
Happy are both ; each tries to do their part : 
Thus marching on, throughout all time to come. 
The great Creator, as he views his work. 
Says, " It is Avell : " the climax now is reached ; 
And now, O for a while, I take my rest. 



(Grayer for the Young ^Republic. 105 

"gxmtt for tfa 1 01118 g^piWk. 

jl^EPUBLIC of France, acknowledged right, 
S Still struggling for the test : 
• Prussia comes on with claims, through strife, 
Demands a great behest. 

Alsace, Lorraine, are their demands, 

With Metz and Strasbourg strong ; 
Demands like these France ne'er can stand, 

Although she may be wrong. 

O give them peace ! yes, lasting peace ! 

Dry up those gory floods! 
O, God of mercy ! we beseech 

Thee, stop those streams of blood ! 

Make that Republic, now so weak, 

Stand firmly to the last! 
The liberty they dearly seek, 

O plant it firm and fast ! 

Not as in days and years gone past, 

Let this weak nation die ; 
But o'er this babe forever cast 

Protection ; heed their cry. 

Napoleon now is disenthroned, 

Ne'er let him rule in power; 
But let the people choose, alone, 

Their ruler from this hour. 
God save the young Republic ! Give 

Them wisdom, power, and might: 
O guide them on; and may they live 

Through this, their darkest night. • 



106 (Poems for The Twies. 



^^|tUPPOSING I should try to skate 
jgj Upon the glaring ice, 
'^^And I should fall, O would you wait, 
And help me soon to rise ? 

"Or would you just pass by me there 

And leave me all alone, 
Nor have a thought of me, or care 

What dreadful thing I 'd donef ' 

" Why, Nellie, I 'd stand by you, dear, 

And show you how to go ; 
And when you 'd slip I \l stand right near, 

And hold you up, you know. 

"And if, perchance, your foot should slip, 

As many often do, 
I quickly o'er the ice would flit, 

And help would render you. 

" For I 'm a boy, and do n't you know 

That would be right for me ; 
T' would not be gallant for a beau 

To leave you there, you see." 

" Well, then, if I should grow up tall. 

And you should be a man. 
And I through circumstance, should fall 

From holy virtue's stand : 



Question. 107 

" Would you then try to lift me up 

And show me courtesy ? 
Or would you bitter make my cup 

Of sin and misery ? 

" And then, perchance, if I should try 

To rise by my own sfcrength, 
Would you not tempt, as you came nigh, 

In Ruin's fearful bent? 

" I know that many poor, weak souls 

Would rise from that low state. 
If man would help, and not control 

Conditions till too late." 

Remember this : Where ^er you find 

A girl that 's brought to shame. 
That man has first contrived to bind 

Her to him as he came. 

Then, if a sister should slide dpwn 

The path of virtue clean. 
Do n't keep her there, but cast around, 

As brother should, a screen. 

O, never tempt to what you know. 

Would ruin or degrade ; 
But kindness and true goodness show, 

For God hath both you made. 



108 (Poe'tns for the Times. 



PS 

fO quietly I sit me down withiu my cottage home, 
I'm counting out the moments as I'm sitting here alone ; 
'>*? I ^m feeling sad and lonely while thinking o'er the past, 
"Which comes before my vision so very, very fast. 

When we were little children, and living on the farm. 
We used to romp upon the hay, within my father's barn, 
Or go to gather hazel-nuts down by the roadside there : 
O, happy, happy children — so free from every care! 

A merry little group were we — numbered children seven ; 
And while we all were little ones, mother went to heaven : 
She left us in our childhood, but ten years old was I, 
And when she went away from us, I felt that I must die. 

I was the eldest of them all — they all looked up to me ; 
The youngest was a babe, but ten days old, you see. 
A little helpless brood were we, without a mother's care, 
Nor could w^e think a moment what burden I must bear. 

Our father was as kind as most of fathers are. 
But many times his temper would get a little jar; 
But this is human nature, and often it has been 
Of other mortal beings, the same with other men. 

We lived as best we could — all lived together there — 
I had to take the head, the mother's part to bear. 
The little ones below me I loved with all my heart; 
And always, like a mother, I took the children's part. 



My Childhood (Days. 109 

I think we lived as well as one e'er could expect; 
For you must know that children but little can effect. 
We stood for one another (as mother oft had told 
Us that we ever ought, if we were young or old.) 

At fourteen years of age, my father took a wife. 
Ah ! then, how changed the scene — how different my life ! 
I then must go away from brothers, sisters, dear. 
And take my place with others, within another sphere. 

I left the dear old home to dwell in a strange land ; 
The labors of my life must be at strangers' hands. 
I prayed God, my Father, would kindly lead me through, 
And guide my wandering footsteps — show me what to do. 

And many, many friends I found, where'er I went ; 
And many kindly blessings upon my head were sent. 
I tried to do my duty where'er my lot was cast. 
And, trusting in the future, 'twould come out right at last. 

Five years of toil and hardships have passed away and gone, 
And still I miss dear mother, who left me so forlorn. 
O, more and more I feel that if I had her near, 
I 'd pillow on her bosom my head without a fear. 

I loved my gentle mother far more than did the rest ; 
For I, the oldest, knew her — the good, the pure, the blest. 
These words she said unto me: My child, remember me. 
O, watch these little children — a mother you must be. 

O, mother ! loving mother ! I tried to do for them 
Just as I tho't you wished, dear mother, might have been ; 
And always, through my life, will I remember you. 
And to myself and others I ever will prove true. 



110 (^oems for the Times. 

©HE came to me there, with her sorrowing heart ; 
^ The tears to her eyes, unbidden, did start; 
^ Sad, sad and forsaken was wandering o'er, 
To ask for a morsel at every door. 

The cold winter winds with piercing blast, 

All over her shivering form did cast 

A mantle of sorrow, on this gloomy night, 

As she paused to look 'round her, in her hasty flight. 

"I' m starving!" she said, "O pity, not blame! 
In mercy consider for what I here came! 
A morsel to keep me from dying out here, 
From the cold chilling winds of this winter severe. 

"Do n't turn me away in the pitiless cold, 
But the hand of charity out to me hold : 
O, give me — -just give me a bit in my hand, 
For I am a wanderer over the land !" 

" What brought you to poverty ?" said I to her : 
She answered, "I '11 tell you my story kind sir: 
Death came and bereft me of all my kind friends — 
All, all that I had from me has been rent. 

"Alone in ih.Q world, I have tried to get work. 

But thus far my efforts have all been deterred ; 

I have nothing to do — I 've no friends — I 've no home ; 

I 've been wandering many a day all alone. 

" O, many are there who on me would smile — 
My steps in the ways of sin would beguile; 



The Unfortunate, 111 

To supply all my wants have I yielded to sin, 
O, pity my feelings ! I 'm so sad within. 

^^Men came to me, then, and rewarded me well. 
When I gave them my virtue — my honor did sell ; 
They lavished upon me those luxuries grand, 
And gave what I wished with a liberal hand. 

^^But soon, ah, how soon, did I fall low, low down, 
To the depths of such low degradation. I found 
Myself driven out in the pitiless cold, 
With no one to care for me — no mortal soul. 

"O, pity me, sir! O, give me, I pray! 

Do n't drive me thus famishing, far, far away, 

Just give me a little, for soon must I die. 

And then will this poor, famished form low down lie. 

^^Kind sir, if that man that has led me astray 
Had been a protector, I 'd ne'er seen this day. 
If he 'd stood like a brother, and helped me along, 
I 'd never have been found in this state so forlorn. 

" My heart beats so faintly — I know I '11 soon go 
Beyond this affliction, and all this sad woe; 
I can not be placed in conditions much worse. 
For me there is nothing but sad, sad reverse." 

I gave her the morsel she thus craved from me. 
And said : " My dear girl, to you will I be 
A friend. I will try, and see what I can do, 
Perhaps I can get a situation for you." 

I sought out a place for the unfortunate one — 
Encouragement gave — as one ought to have done; 



112 (Poems for the Times. 

Kind words did I give to this being so drear, 
Which seemed at that moment her sad heart to cheer. 

I watched all her movements on, from time to time, 
And lessons of goodness instilled in her mind; 
I bade her to go in the pathway of right : 
Told her I ^d defend her through all the dark night. 

Time passed — she reformed — stood up in her pride : 
She is married, and makes a kind-hearted bride. 
Her duties in life are faithfully discharged, 
And her circle of friends at present is large. 

Who tells me the fallen can not be reformed? 
True worth, within all can be found, will adorn 
The low and the vile — if you help them to rise, 
You will see in the future, you Ve brought out a prize. 

Go thou and do likewise — go shelter the weak, 
Help those that may come assistance to seek ; 
Speak kindly, if nothing on them you bestow, 
In this a kind feeling to them you will show. 

There are many all over this beautiful land, 
That need a kind word ; O, lend them a hand I 
Do n't lead into vice, but stand as a brother, 
Though no sister of yours, she may be of another. 



?||N a small, humble cot, away on the lea, 
^ Lived a dear little girl, named Arabel Lee; 
^' Her eyes were as blue as the violets low, 
That down by the side of the garden-wall grow. 



At ah el Lee. 113 

Her hair shone so bright, the profusion of curls 
Decked the head and the shoulders of the little girl ; 
Those features so sweet and so innocent, too ; 
She talked with those orbs of rich azure blue. 

At six years of age she was left here to mourn 
The loss of her father, who left her forlorn, 
With a sister and brother; these children, the three, 
All lived with their mother, way down by the sea. 

The mother felt sad. To her children she said : 
" My darlings, how can I provide you with bread ? 
In this country ^tis hard for a widow like me 
To provide for the wants of my children, you see.^' 

This is a cold world for poor Arabel Lee, 
With no shoes on her feet, must go barefoot, you see ; 
While her mother would labor from morning till eve 
To keep them from starving, these children, all three. 

The daughters of Erin work early and late — 
Those women that live in poverty^s state — 
And that was the case (as often we see) 
Of the mother of sweet little Arabel Lee. 

Her mother would say to that dear little girl : 
" Now go wash your face and fix up your curls. 
Then come and take care of the baby for me. 
And see what a good little girl you can be. 

" Take care of dear brother as well as you can ; 
Perhaps he, some day, may grow up a man. 
And if you will try, do the best you aan do. 
Perhaps he will, some day, take care of you." 



114 (Poems for the Times. 

Their mother would leave them the whole livelong day 
A washing she 'd go, as all the folks say ; 
Arabel would do all that was left her to do-^ 
She would take care of baby and do her work, too. 

Her mother came home so weary, at eve — 
Her head would oft ache, and her heart did oft grieve, 
When she thought of her labors from rising of sun, 
And how she came home with a very small sum. 

How often she thought: ^^How I wish I could see 
Americans shores, the land of the free ; 
If myself and my birdies were over the main, 
I never would come here — no, never again.'^ 

And as she was thinking and studying, too. 
Of what she had heard and what she might do, 
She heard of a chance to cross the broad sea. 
She could go, and could take her children, all three. 

A gentleman there, an American, too. 
Had seen little ArabePs eyes, soft and blue ; 
He noted her face and her bright, shining curls, 
And asked the poor mother for this little girl. 

"As for parting with my little girl, I can not; 
Although, to supply all her wants, I have naught; 
But, sir, if you ^11 help me to go with all three, 
I ^11 let her stay with you, if near I may be. 

" I will pay you all back, as fast as I can, 
When once I may reach that glorious land ; 
But do n^t ask me to part with either the three, 
For I can ^^," said the mother of Arabel Lee. 



Arahel Lee. 115 

This man was kind-hearted — benevolent, too ; 

He worked for the cause of humanity, true. 

He paid her way over the billowy sea, 

She stepped on the shore of the " land of the free." 

She at once went to work with a hearty good-will ; 
And this friend found a place she knew she could fill ; 
She saved all the means in her power to command, 
And with it she bought a small piece of land. 

Her son soon grew up to a good, noble man. 
And helped her to clear and fence up her land ; 
And Arabel grew to a woman so fair, 
And still she possessed that rich, curly hair. 

The sister a teacher in school had become — 

For this is the way that the story did run : 

She well filled her place, with womanly pride 

Was she loved by the children who stood by her side. 

Mr. Horton, the friend of Arabel Lee, 
Had a son, who was now about twenty -three. 
He saw this fair damsel, and loved her full well, 
And she found in her heart that his image did dwell. 

Little Arabel Lee Mrs. Horton became ; 
Although she was changed, it was only in name. 
She lives in a mansion, so happy and free, 
This poor little Irish giid, Arabel Lee. 

With plenty around her, she thinks of the poor, 
That often, as beggars, she finds at her door. 
She does all she can for the suffering ones, 
She thinks of the time she was sad, weak, and ione. 



116 ^oef]n,s for the Times. 

Her mother is happy. Surrounded in life 
With blessings and comforts obtained by hard strife. 
Her children around her, and grandchildren, too — 
She thinks of the time when dark clouds she passed thro'. 

When she kneels before God, in deep, earnest prayer. 
She thinks of the poor ; and is willing to share 
Her bounty with those who are suffering bere. 
And their sorrow will bring to her eyes many tears. 

She thinks of dear friends, who aided her so 

As she struggled, and waded through grief and thro' woe. 

And always will try to help those in need — 

A friend in suah moments a friend is indeed. 

This moral we glean from Arabel Lee : 
That in all of our lives, wherever we see 
Our work is made known, to do it with cheer. 
If the task should be hard, or e'er so severe. 

Our Father well knows of our sad, helpless state ; 
And if sickness, or want, or death be our fate, 
Let us struggle along, live true to the end ; 
He always will bless us, and give us dear friends. 

Then let us be patient through all we may pass. 
We surely will come off victorious at last : 
Be kind and obliging, wherever we be. 
Like this daughter of Erin — sweet Arabel Lee. 



A Vision. 117 



Hum. 



'H ONCE had a vision, like one as of old, 
m A lesson I learned that was better than gold. 
^ I '11 give it to you. May you try here to scan, 
The worth of this vision I give, if you can. 

I saw a bright cloud — as of bright shining gold. 
And, as it was passing, began to unfold. 
Till it spread away out, from the shore to the sliore- 
I never had seen such a sight eVr before. 

And soon I caught sound of a musical chime. 
It fell on my ear, and it soothed my sad mind; 
The notes, as they through all the heavens did ring, 
I knew 't was the voice of the angles that sing. 

The song was a song, as a welcome 't was given. 
To a weary, sick soul as it soared up to heaven ; 
Each note that I heard made my soul e'er so rife, 
With the joys of the blest in the beautiful life. 

I longed to see into those white pearly gates ; 
I felt that I never could linger or wait. 
O, give me a sight of those walls yet unseen ! 
O, let me but have just one glance now within! 

I felt, as I listened to those mellow tones. 
As on the cool zephyrs to me they were borne. 
And as I was longing these wonders to see, 
A beautiful angel came then unto me. 

She said to me : ^' Mortal, come here unto me 
If this heavenly choir you wish now to see. 



118 (Poems for the Times. 

The path we must go is not long, neither wide — 
To that beautiful land where the angels abide.'' 

She opened the gate and invited me in 
To the heavenly land, so free from all sin ; 
And there did I see that heavenly band : 
The sight was magnificent — O, it was grand ! 

A beautiful wreath 'round each head was entwind, 
And stars that shone bright as the stars that now shine. 
All through these bright wreaths did this dazzling light 
Give unto my vision a beautiful sight. 

While gazing I stood, in that heavenly place, 

I suddenly saw a familiar, dear face. 

'T was mother, dear mother, that left me, you know, 

To weep here on earth, a long time ago. 

She had in her arms a sweet little child. 
It seemed to be happy, contented, and mild. 
Contentment was seen there in every face : 
O I longed then to stay in that heavenly place. 

Then mother came to me — she said, '^ My dear child. 
Every mortal that comes, must come here through toil — 
Through labors on earth, in trials and care — 
You are fitted to come wath the angels to share. 

"These beings you see, all, all have have once been 
The weary, down-trodden of earth's sons of men, 
That labored in earnest — hard burdens did bear. 
And fitted themselves with the angels to share. 

"And many of these came through poverty's door; 
These, never know want on this beautiful shore : 



The Little Ckag=(^icker. 119 

And others have fought in the battles of life, 
And the crown on each head tells well of the strife. 

"The rich, selfish miser can never come here, 
Nor those that monopolize all in your sphere : 
No room for such beings we give in our land, 
They never can join with the heavenly band. 

" Not now, can you come to live with us here ; 
Go back and prepare — go live in earth's sphere: 
Show forth in your labors while you 're dwelling there, 
That to come here and dwell you will try to prepare.'' 

She left me ! the sight quickly vanished away ; 
But a lesson I learned from the vision that day : 
I am willing to labor as hard as I can. 
That I, in the future, may live in that land. 



^N a lonely alley in the city wide, 
^ We find a little child, 
^'With a sack or basket by her side. 
Picking where dirt is piled. 

Those tiny hands, e'er soiled, defaced, 
With contact with that heap — 

Traces are seen upon that face. 
Disfiguring features sweet. 

Her tattered garments were all rent. 

No shoes upon her feet ; 
Bareheaded, too, the sun's rays bend 

Its force on her complete. 



120 (Poems for the Times. 

Picking away, from morn till night, 
She goes from heap to heap, 

And presents to us a sickening sight, 
Is seen in that retreat. 

Toil hard she did, with patience mild, 

The basket she filled up — 
That innocent, unhappy child. 

Drinking from Sorrow's cup. 

Wan were her features, pinched with want- 
Toiling to earn her mite — 

To feed that little form so gaunt, 
That feels this piercing blight. „ 

Poor little one ! no friendly hand 
To w^ash and make you clean ; 

In this, our glorious Christian land, 
"With many churches seen. 

None care for thee, thou friendless one ; 

Sorrow has marked thy path : 
No smiling friend to bid thee come. 

All grief away to cast. 

But angels pity thee, dear child. 

And o'er that little head 
Are speaking forth, in tones so mild, 

Saying, ^^ You '11 soon have bread." 

Death will unlock the wicket-gate, 

And bid you enter in; 
You ne'er will then stand out and wait, 

But welcome find within. 



The Litde Ckag=C^icker, 121 

God loves the rag-picker as well 

As one that dresses j&ne ; 
He feels for you — no tongue can tell 

His sympathizing mind. 

Ere long thy form, distressed while here, 

By poverty and want, 
Enough will have in other spheres ; 

Nor wilt thou look so gaunt. 

Conditions that surround thee here 

Make this, thy lot, so sad ; 
Injustice lays her hand severe. 

And keeps thy pathway bad. 

When more enlightened all become, 

Then all will be cared for — 
E'en every ragged, dirty one; 

For them we'll make a law. 

To educate and help refine. 

And rear them in this life;. 
Enlighten all poor, feeble minds, 

Prepare them for earth's strife. 

How many children through our towns 

And cities do we meet — 
We cast a glance and then a frown, 

W^hile passing through the street. 

Scenes often to our vision came 

Of children, pinched, distressed. 
While other fortunate, happy ones 

Appear beside, well dressed. 



122 (Poems for the Times. 

If all would have a little care 

For those oppressed and wronged, 

And each would try with them to share, 
Such sights would ne'er last long. 

O, Father, hasten soon the time 
When each feels for another; 

And 'round each heart wilt thou entwine. 
Bonds linking to each other. 

Drive all that helps to crush away, 

By thine ejffulgent rays : 
Help the unfortunate, we pray. 

And show them brighter days. 



SS it to bow the knee in prayer, 
^And of all sinners to beware ? 
^ And all the ritual 'tend with care, 

Your purse to open free ? 
From all the vile to keep away. 
And give to God your heart away. 
And daily on your knees to pray. 

You can a Christian be? 

Go, ask the one who goes to mass; 
And after all his care, alas! 
He '11 hardly able be to pass 
Into the kingdom given. 



(Religion. 123 

Each morn we find him on his knees, 
Striving an angry God to please ; 
The priest locks heaven, and holds the keys, 
And he away is driven. 

Unless he gives, from out his store. 
And from his cofPers often pours. 
Will he — the priest — unlock the door 

And sins e^er be forgiven. 
Then he, absolved from all his sin, 
Will be permitted to pass in. 
And be a Christian now with him : 

He 's on his way to heaven. 

The woman says : Go, seek your wives, 
And to the kingdom you may rise : 
Religion makes you pay your tithes 

Of all that you possess. 
Brigham will tell them what to do. 
And show them what is good and true. 
If they wdll follow him they ^11 view 

The courts of promised rest. 

We ask : Is this religion true, 
That makes humanity to do 
Such acts as these we often view 

Within our lower sphere ? 
Is this the way our Savior said, 
When he the multitude there fed. 
Or stood beside the widow^s dead, 

In deeds of kindness here? 



124 (Poems for the Times. 

" Do good to all.'' Be kind and true, 

As you 'd have others be to you, 

"When grief or sorrow you pass through, 

Is what our Master taught. 
It matters not how mean or low, 
If we are needed, we should go, 
Jesus, our pattern, told us so: 

And many such were brought* 

Religion makes us truly kind 

To all — the sick, the halt, the blind ; 

And bids us all their wants to bind — 

And help up brother man. 
It gives to all a generous heart : 
They with their bounty here will part ; 
Gives sympathy for others' smarts. 

And does what good it can. 

Then let us strive to gain it here. 
And do some good upon this sphere ; 
And let what light we have shine clear, 

To other mortals 'round. 
Religion is an earthly school ; 
The Scripture says the wise or fools 
Can learn this blessed ^^ golden rule " — 

In deeds of love he found. 



VISIT the cot of my childhood days. 

And over the place I roam. 
Where I lived with my innocent, childish ways- 

The place of my early home. 



My Childhood Home. 125 

But changed, O how changed, are its scenes to me, 

For strangers' feet now tread 
The halls and the nooks where I used to be, 

And those that once lived there are dead. 

The mother that taught me to lisp a prayer, 

In the quiet summer eve, 
Lies quietly in the church-yard there : 

O'er her grave are the fallen leaves. 

The father that I loved so fondly and true, 

Has gone to his long, long home; 
Those brothers are gone — all gone, too. 

But a few that are left to roam. 

The quaint old hall, with its winding stairs. 

That has stood for a long, long time. 
And the bell that jingles so merrily there, 

Eepeating the same old chime. 

The parlor, so changed, I can hardly think 

'T is the one of my olden home; 
The curtains of damask, with golden tint. 

All glittering the apartment shone. 

'T was thus other hands had wrought the change, 

And strangers were dwelling there. 
Refitted, refurnished — all seemed so strange — 

With taste and scrupulous care. 

But I lingered a moment or two in thought. 

Of the changes that fill all our years; 
And musing, and passing events, soon brought 

To my eyes the unbidden tears. 



1 26 ^Poe^ns for the Thnes. 

I thought of so much. The vision flew past 
Of years^ months, and days, that had flown : 

All crowded themselves on my mind, strong and fast, 
While I sat there within my old home. 

I longed to be gone. No pleasure I founa 

In reflections, all hurrying by : 
The home of my childhood, that once did abound 
With pleasure, now brings naught but sighs. 

I left that dear spot in the bright month of June, 
Which with gladness and beauty all shone: 

Sweet birds were then warbling beautiful tunes 
In the grove that adjoined the old home. 

Ere long, ^t will be said of me, just the same, 

When only a few days are fled : 
" Mark how she is furrowed. Her form, how 'tis changed 

She soon will join friends that are dead.'' 

Let me feel that I 've labored and finished my task. 
And be ready to meet those gone on. 

'Tis all that I wish— 'tis all that I ask- 
To meet those of my old childhood home. 



ifiii. 

4£ AM here — I came here without my consent- 



5}J I go through life's journey wherever I 'm sent : 
^ I 'm doing the best that I can here below. 
And that is as well as I can, do n't you know ? 
Why is it that I must thus walk in this path ? 
Why go needy and suffering, while plenty he hath? 



Why. ' 127 

Why kept in this narrow condik'on in life, 

To battle with poverty, discord, and strife? 

I was reared with a plenty — great affluence, grand, 

There was naught that I wanted but I could command : 

In music, and painting, and other fine arts. 

All, all have I had — all desires of my heart : 

Education have I — I ^m accomplished, withal. 

Why, O, tell me why, must it all from me fall? 

Why can 't I have worh, to earn my way through ? 

O, tell me why 'tis I have nothing to do? 

Perhaps you will say : " Have courage — be bold,'' 

This, too, has been to me repeatedly told : 

" Stand up and go out, apply for a place. 

And not sit down there and repine in disgrace." 

I Ve been out, and I Ve tried a great many times. 

The place would be promised to men, I would find ; 

Then would I seek elsewhere, but all, all in vain ; 

Then discouraged I 'd come to this dread place again. 

tell me some way ! give me something to do ! 

1 can not do every thing, that's very true; 
But do give me something I can do, I say. 

And be willing that I should be rendered my pay. 

Can any one tell me how I 'm to subsist. 

And poverty, want — such monsters resist ? 

You say that some women are able to find 

Employment sufiicient to fill all their time. 

Providing that all that you say may be true, 

I 'm different from some, so what shall I do? 

I might tell you of many more here, just like me. 

Who have n't that great force of mind, do n't you see ? 

But they must all live here, as well as must you : 

Then tell me what such ones are going to do. 



128 (Poems for the Times. 

" Go, work in the kitchen ^' — I oft hear you say : 

And there they get small, yes, very small pay. 

What is it, you know, that pays woman the best — 

Laying aside all joking or jest; 

Do you know that you force women from virtue's stand, 

And never will lend her a kind, helping hand? 

Then if I should sell you my virtue — my all, 

And into sin's vortex should happen to fall; 

You 'd pay me the best to crush myself down, 

And then you would turn and look with a frown ; 

And this am I forced to do, or to lie 

In this wretched place — of starvation to die. 

I know that 't is sinning, but do you not sin? 

Can your outward be foul and pure be within ? 

Do n't you lead me to crime in which you partake, 

And try all the guilt upon me to shake? 

You mark out your victim, then study as well 

To drag that pure being from heaven to hell — 

You take note of conditions which may her surround, 

Then strive with your might to draw her right down : 

You seem so benevolent, friendly, and good. 

That she thinks friendly — you meant that she should — - 

You talk to her kindly, and sympathy give, 

And say you will help her henceforth here to live: 

If she will but yield to your wishes, you see, 

A friend to her ever in future you '11 be. 

You know this is so, deny if you can. 

That this has not been, for a long time, your plan. 

Why do n't you try always to have her stand firm . 

Do always the right, try wisdom to learn? 

Put your hand in your pocket and give her the dollar. 

Without asking her shame's dark pathway to follow. 



Why, 129 

O ! you are to blame for conditions we see, 

Of our noble sex over this country : 

You will license these places where virtue is sold 

To you, brother man, for your paltry gold. 

If should sell all that to me is most dear, 

To you, you would laugh, and soon cast a sneer; 

But 't is my poor condition that forces me down 

To that miserable calling, in city or town. 

I will labor if only my hand you '11 employ, 

And pay, that my name I Ve no need to destroy. 

Some die, that is true, this they would prefer 

To the awful disgrace on a good character. 

But many ones have not the will, do n't you see? 

Will give up, e'er to shame for the want of the fee. 

O ! pity me, then, and show me the way 

To earn my day's bread through honor, I pray ! 

My sisters, do n't say you have all those dear rights 

That you want, while you see these terrible sights : 

Do n't sit in your parlor and live at your ease. 

While those of your sex must suffer and freeze : 

While such degradation marks many a fair face 

With outcast in life, that awful disgrace ; 

Do n't say woman stands in a sanctified place 

So pure and angelic, with naught to deface 

That form, as it lives or drags along here 

Through the cesspools of vice, all over our sphere. 

O God ! such a picture left here to gaze on — 

Of crime, sin, and misery — hopes e^er forlorn. 

Through passions let loose by our brother man, 

All over our earth we every day scan. 

What must this all come to? O, tell me, I pray! 

When will right and truth hold forth virtue's sway ? 



130 (Poems for the Times. 

When will people learn to act wisely here, 
And from all low practices ever keep clear? 
Never, till ivoman stands equal in life, 
With man, in all things, will cease this sad strife. 
'^And Avhen will that be?^^ we often hear asked — 
We answer, in future, she '11 come to her task, 
When the ballot within her own hand she can take, 
She will then try help all the wrong right to make. 
In the mean time, I pray, tell me why must I stand 
With nothing to do, though I have willing hands : 
O give me employment ! I quickly will fill 
The position you give me with hearty good will; 
And show you that woman is n't low here from choice, 
But give her her rights, she '11 stand up and rejoice. 



m GLOEIOUS star! O glorious star! 
JJ' O shed thy beaming light afar ! 

' Till all thy daughters light shall see, 
AVithin thy bonds of mystery. 

Our mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, 
The Mason's star do truly prize : 
It leads us on through darkest night ; 
Then gladly will we hail its light. 

Thy place is fixed, O glorious star — 
Thy light hath come here from afar : 
Thy genial rays hath many fed. 
And gently hath the orphan led. 



Tlie Eastern Star, 131 

In holy bonds of unity, 
A guide through all adversity, — 
Thy golden rays hath helped me on, 
When I was friendless and alone. 

Then to thy light, O beauteous star, 
Shed o'er my pathway from afar, 
I owe thee much, through coming time : 
Dear star, I love thee ! Thou art mine. 

Dear sister, here, in friendship true, 
O may our hearts well up anew ; 
And to each sister on this sphere 
Show that our star is shining clear. 

Then stand thou there, and shine away; 
Thy work is good, go thou thy way : 
Thou in our world must do thy part 
To help unfold the human heart. 

All good, true work of charity 
Will help to save humanity : 
So thou art doing well, we see ; 
In works of love w^e join with thee. 

Go aid our sisters through our land, 
And guide them as a happy band : 
Go, let thy light shine near and far — 
Thou bright and glorious Eastern Star. 



132 (Poen^s for the Times. 



SlUST as the sun was sinking low, 
m> Behind the western hills, 
^ Nature with beauty was aglow, 
And all seemed calm and still. 

I thought to take a little stroll 

Out in the evening air, 
And from my mind life's burdens roll, 

And cast aside its care. 

My mind was carried far, far back 

Into my childhood's days. 
And thoughts of happiness that 's past, 

Of my own childish ways. 

As I was musing thus, I heard 

A little, feeble cry : 
A little girl in pleading words, 

I looked and saw near by. 

" O Father, please to let me stay ! 

The sun is going down — 
You know it is a long^ long way 

For me to go to town. 

" It is a mile or more, you know ; 

let me stay at home! 

I have no one with me to go, 

1 '11 have to go alone." 



(Redeef7^ed. 13S 

^'Be gone /" — he said, in frenzy wild — 

Don't let me tell you more!'^ 
Then from the house he thrust the child 

As oft he 'd done before. 

That father had just wakened up, 

His brain was all on fire 
From draughts he M taken from the cup, 

Which caused such actions dire. 

His thirst for drink was very great ; 

He hardly could endure : 
It seemed impossible to wait 

Till drink he could procure. 

The mother dared not speak one word ; 

She knew it was no use : 
She saw just where her husband stood, 

And feared his dread abuse. 

She gladly would have gone, instead 

Of her dear little May, 
And put that little one to bed. 

From all such grief away. 

But as she saw that darling one 

Go from the cabin door, 
O God ! she prayed, for thy dear Sou, 

O bring us peace once more! 

O guard that little fragile form ! — 

O safely bring her home ! 
And lead us through this dreadful storm I 

But, Liord, thy will be done. 



134 (Poems for the Times. 

That little girl, just six years old, 

Was forced to go a mile, 
To where destruction then was sold — 

That innocent, pure child. 

She, with her little pail in hand. 
Went wandering forth alone : 

Around her form night drew its band. 
And she aw^ay from home. 

And thus she on her errand sped. 
That little child so sweet ; 

O how she wished to be in bed ! 
How tired were her feet! 

As thus she traveled on, she thought 
Of happy days of yore — 

Of when they lived in yonder cot; 
And wished ^t would be so more. 

She said : " O dear, I wish my pa 

AYould be like cousin Jane's ; 
Then he would be so o;ood to ma — 



&"^ 



Will e'er he be asrain?" 



te" 



Up to the shop at last she went. 
And told them why she'd come: 

She gave the man tlie money sent 
To buy her pa some rum. 

She started with her little pail, 
And as she passed the door, 

Fear made her courage nearly fail; 
For all was darkness o'er. 



TJie ^Redeemed. ' 135 

But on she went, in dread and gloom — 

Hark ! now she hears a sound ! 
^T was as a knell rung from the tomb I 

It shook the very ground! 

Her trembling form still hurried on, 

The clouds were gathering fast; 
At last the fury of the storm 

Burst out in dreadful blast ! 

The thunder pealed — the lightning played 

In fury through the air; 
One mighty bolt its finger laid 

Upon this child so fair. 

That little form lies cold and still; 

Her sufferings here are o^er : 
She's taken — 'tis her Father's will — 

To yonder shining shore. 

"Within that cabin we can see 

That little form so white; 
Her happy spirit now is free 

From every care and strife. 

A mother dear bends o'er her child, 

To kiss the marble brow; 
A father, too, with anguish wild, 

Looks on in frenzy now. 

He says : " 'T is done — the dreadful deed 

That took my child away ; 
I see her now, as did she plead 

For me to let her stay. 



136 ^oems for the Times. 

" ' T was I that brought upon us now 
This cause of deep distress ; 

O must I to this trial bow? 
I never more can rest.^' 

The form of that sweet little child 

Is laid beneath the sod; 
And o^er that mound^ that father wild, 

Lies smitten with the rod. 

They take him up, and strive to speak 

To him in words of cheer ; 
The mother pleads, "O help the weak ! 

O, Father, now draw near ! " 

At last he seems to be composed — 
He strives to gain command; 

And swears that ne'er until life's close. 
He '11 take the glass in hand. 

That mother kneels, in humble prayer. 

Upon that cabin floor : 
" O, Father, take us in thy care ! 

O bring us peace once more ! " 

How changed the scene ! Just go with me 

To yonder cottage door ; 
And there a manly form you'll see — 

Not as in days of yore. 

A marble slab now marks the spot 
Where sleeps dear little May ; 

Which stands near by the humble cot, 
Not very far away. 



^Restored Once More. 137 

Look closely; there is written on 

These words, so clearly seen ; 
" Our little May, that left the form, 

Her father hath redeemed.'' 



J-lOWN, down to that dismal deep, 
^, As swift as foam he ran — 
"^ Where demons their watches do keep — 

Where dwelt the Ku-Klux Klan. 
kVi haggard and worn he looked : 

Distorted in frame became, 
By friends was he now forsook — 

A being without any name. 
O, wretched his lot, no name has this one, 
Stealing away when his night work was done. 

No care had this one for his life — 

He felt as an alien from all : 
Well schooled in this pathway of strife, 

He lived for this miserable call. 
No being on earth to love. 

Cold sternness met he from man, 
Nor thought of a God above, 

That every act doth scan. 
He dwelt in the rocky cave or den. 
Caring not for the haunts of domestic men. 



138 0^0 ems for tiie Times. 

An angel wife and child 

Had crossed to the opposite shore : 
They had gone to the other life, 

To dwell with their God evermore ; , 

Since their exit from earthly life, 

Had this miserable being been 
Tossed away on the billows of strife — 

A cast-off was he, by men : 
The noble, the good of our plain below. 
He cared not to see, as he went to and fro. 

But there, in that lone retreat, 

Came forth, in her rambling there. 
An angel child, pure and sweet, 

With golden ringlets fair : 
Chasing the fawn away, 

As climbing the rocky steep. 
She danced, as the water played, 

In its bed beneath her feet. 
This child of the mountains, so full of her glee, 
Oft came here to play, so happy and free. 

Her father had built a hut. 

Away from civilized man. 
The forest pines here to cut, 

Nor feared this Ku-Klux Klan. 
God knew that his heart was right. 

No harm could e'er come to him ; 
He prayed to the Father of light 

To keep him from paths of sin. 
This father and child there dwelt all alone, 
In that little rude cot as their ow^n mountain home. 



(Restored Once More. ]39 

In gathering the tiny flowers 

That grew on the monntain^s side, 
To deck that humble bower, 

Was truly this little one^s pride; 
As, singing from morn till night, 

This sprite would then glide away : 
'T was a beautiful, happy sight 

To watch her thus spending the day. 
The wretch of the cave beheld in this child 
A being to love, in a heart lone and wild. 

He spoke to her kindly, when near 

This place she perchance would approach ; 
She knew she had nothing to fear — 

She saw there no look of reproach. 
But shyly she drew near that form. 

So long unaccustomed to dwell 
Near Aifection^s true heart, ever w^arm, 

With a soul black with crime, as of hell : 
This innocent child came near this dark one, 
And there in simplicity truly him won. 

He was led from those paths of dark crime. 

To follow an honorable life. 
And ever throughout after time 

Was he led by this being so blithe. 
Forsaking the Ku-Klux Klan — 

Throwing off the dark mask that he wore, 
He lived like an honorable man. 

And thankful that he was restored. 
Through the innocent prattle of this little child 
This being was brought from this dark, lonely wild. 



140 (Poems for the Times. 

And tliree dwelt together there, 

In the cot at the foot of the steep ; 
Through the dark, stormy weather each shared 

Their portion of bread and meat. 
They emerged from that lonely retreat, 

Came forth here to dwell then with otiiers, 
And lived then to do what was meet 

For man to give unto his brother. 
Here's another example in life we may scan 
Of a fierce, cruel lion led out by a lamb. 



MnTHRONED in regal splendor there, 

1^ Majestic, beautiful, and fair — 

^ She proudly grasps the stripes and stars, 

And floats the banner near and far. 

Her voice is heard in every land — 

All nations hear when she commands : 

Sometimes she speaks in thund'rous tones ; 

Her rightful sway o'er all she '11 own. 

She casts aside Oppression's chain ; 

No tyrant can with her remain. 

All who may live with her are free ; 

She is our Goddess — Liberty ! 

All nations seek protection here. 

From foreign rulers more severe. 

All find a home, — their rights she '11 heed : 

No despot's power, no form or creed. 

No scepter o'er her holds its sway. 

Or takes her children's rights away ; 



Our Goddess^ Liberty. ]41 

Her laws are true equality, 

And thus the scales are balanced free. 

And Justice here is given to all, 

It matters not how great or small. 

The eagle proudly by her stands — 

^T is emblematic, here, of man — 

Of brother, sister, side by side, 

Should equal stand, with equal pride — 

Together work for mutual good, 

As was intended that they should. 

But ah ! alas ! it is not so ! 

Our mother stands alone, you know ; 

Her daughters can not take their place. 

But must stand back, marked with disgrace. 

Why is this so, O, mother dear. 

That you stand there — we remain here? 

Have we an insult given to thee. 

That we thy presence thus must flee ? 

Are we beneath our brother man. 

That he was forced to take this plan? 

Is not intelligence shown forth 

In many things, equal in both? 

Then why not by our mother stand, 

Both equal to the task in hand? 

O, mother dear, thine arms extend — = 

Assistance to thy daughters lend ! 

Hasten the time when all shall stand 

In perfect freedom o'er our land. 

Then, with the scales so equal poised. 

The stars and stripes above thee hoist. 

The nation's bird beside thee stand — 

This emblem of our brother man — 



142 d^oems for the Times. 

Each working there with equal rights, 
Doing their duty with their might. 
O, take us all beneath thy folds ! 
And may we work with courage bold, 
Till ALL our people shall be free, 
And hail our Goddess — Liberty ! 



10 Pg ^iriiliiwllir. 

^EAR, aged form, with tottering step! 

ffl How dear thou art to me ! 

'^Our Father watch o'er thee hath kept, 

Through many years, we see. 
A mission, noble, wise, thou hast 

To all on earth fulfilled. 
Strength will be given thee to the last. 

To do thy Master's will. 

Ah, well do I remember when 

Affliction had bereft 
Me of a mother ; thou didst then 

Care for me, as one left. 
Thy tender counsel led me On 

Through all my thorny ways, 
And kept me up, while thus forlorn, 

Through dark and gloomy days. 

Ever a watchful eye thou hadst 

O'er all that struggled hard; 
And oft the rough path hast smooth made. 

And quieted all jars. 



To w.y Grandmother. 143 

Assistance came, wlien sore distressed, 

Dear Grandmother, from thee; 
Thy gentle touch the ill hath blessed — 

Thy smile bid sorrow flee. 

Truly an angel hast thou been 

In days long since gone by ; 
Long will I think of thee, my friend, 

Till low thy form must lie. 
Thy days are almost finished here — 

Thy work is almost done. 
The toils of life, though oft severe. 

Hath laurels for thee won. 

All finished, will the task of life 

Be, when thy summons comes. 
Thy spirit freed from mortal strife, 

Will hear the words, " Well done, 
Thou good and faithful servant, sit 

Beside thy Father here ; 
Completed all, thou hast now quit 

The storms so oft severe. 

" Enter thou in, and take thy rest ; 

The mansion is prepared 
For all the weary, who possess 

The heavenly passport there." 
Between the two great cities, now 

Thy form is lingering: 
The mortal to immortal bows — 

Earth has its finishing. 



] 44 (Poems for the Times. 

Thoughtless of what the future may 

Forever to thee bring, 
Thy works through life have paved the way 

To glorious praises sing : 
Childlike art thou, and trusting, too. 

To God, the wise and good ; 
Trusting that ^t will be well with you — 

You're fed with heavenly food. 

Perchance thy form may be laid down 

Beneath the silent clod — 
Thy spirit from the mortal bound, 

To dwell in peace with God : 
And may I ucVa* again behold 

Thy generous, noble face 
On earth again, nor e'er can fold 

Thee in my fond embrace. 

If so, I truly must submit 

To one more high than I ; 
Nor wish to e'er his power resist — 

He calls and we must die. 
O may I, in that better land, 

Behold thy dear, dear face; 
May we together join the hand 

In one long, sweet embrace. 

When all the toils, the cares of life 

Have passed from us away. 
May we then higher, higher rise 

To one great, glorious day : 



Where there's a Will there's a Way. 145 

With all the ransomed heavenly throng, 

Within that happy place, 
Join in a sweet, harmonious song — 

All meet there, face to face. 



M%m \\\m'% I Willtftm'^ a Win. 

^T is the Great Almighty's will 
^ That all here should exist : 
^His great designs we see fulfilled, 
Naught maketh him desist. 

The will — the great impelling power — 
Drives forward all great moves. 

Incites to action, helps each hour 
To that which doth improve. 

No work, it matters not how great, 
But what can be brought forth 

If but the will doth place the stake, 
And to that point will w^ork. 

Behold the mighty deeds hath come 
In days long since gone by — 

What perils, hardships, felt by some 
Determined ne'er to die. 

If but to carry forth in life 

Works undertaken here, 
And bring new action into life, 

Upon this mortal sphere. 

7 



146 (^oefns for the Times. 

The will, the power, supremely great, 
Unlocks great treasures here — 

Opens the door, unbolts the gate, 
Till all is made quite clear. 

If we possess a mighty will. 

Just let me freely say. 
Though obstacles encumber, still 

The will must find the way. 

Have courage, mother, with that child. 
That will perverse and strong, 

Speak kindly, chide him ever mild : 
Keep him from paths of wrong. 

Place him where naught can e'er defile 
His body, mind, or soul — 

Let love's bright angel on him smile. 
And thus that child control ; 

But never try to break that willf 
As some have wont to try — 

For truly will it bode you ill. 
And cause you many a sigh. 

The will must ever ope the way 

To every great reform ; 
Must turn the darkness into day, 

The night into bright morn. 

Remember what to you I say : 

Be resolute and firm ; 
The will doth open e'er thy way, 
As Time's great wheel doth turn. 



'True Love 147 

Throw off that lethargy— that sloth— 

Else — stand up firm to-day — 
Put on the will, and let it force 

Itself into a way. 

God has given power to all below, 

That on our earth may stay : 
Move on — go either fast or slow — 

The will must have a way. 



fHERE is a fire to mortals given, 
That kindles in the human breast — 
^ That soars away — its flames near heaven, 
But the possessor feels unrest. 

This fire is kindled from the spark 
Within the being's nature, here : 

Of the divine it claims a part, 
Of purity from other spheres. 

It kindles quickly — burns and dies. 

And then it seeks obscurity — 
Or to some distant land it hies 

To seek for some diversity. 

This passion— some will term it love — 

That noble principle, divine. 
Is given to us by God above. 

And makes our pathway brightly shine. 



148 (^oewLS for the Times. 

O, selfish mortal ! look within, 

And see if thou hast treasured there 

That heavenly guest — so free from sin, 
That for each other hath a care. 

That holy passion we call love, 

A confidence to each impart, 
Joins kindred spirits from above — 

Joins hand to hand and heart to heart. 

It seeks to shield from sorrow's strife 
The other part that by it stands ; 

It joins together, all through life. 
And goes into the summer land. 

Its partners each will strive to save 
The other from all pain and woe — 

Each one can work with courage brave. 
As hand in hand through life they go. 

If sickness comes within their sphere — 

Adversity shall cast a hand. 
More closely will they now draw near. 

And tighter Love will draw the band. 

With such a union here in life — 

With Love's bright chain around each riven, 
No word of discord, war or strife — 

Ah! who can say but this is heaven. 

No tyrant lord to rule supreme 

O'er woman's body, mind, and soul, 

As o'er our land is daily seen, 

Man strives to hold supreme control. 



True Love. 149 

No wish of his must be denied, 

But ready be to do his will : 
As soon as you become a bride, 

Think as he does^be calm and still. 

Do as he bids you — dare not speak 

Unless he tells you what to say — 
If plans in life you wish to seek, 

You first must ask him if you may. 

Away with unions such as this : 

No Love within that union dwells ; 
None of that pure, confiding bliss. 

That 'round the heart will hold its spell. 

O, fan the flame of Love divine ! 

And let it kindle all around, 
Till o'er the earth its light will shine, 

In every household 'twill be found. 

O, Father ! may earth's children see 

That true, unbounded love divine 
Is what will make them truly free. 

And make their light more truly shine. 

In marriage ties, at home, abroad, 

True love, O let thy power be felt : 
Jesus for us the wine-press trod, 

And an example here he left. 

Of love unbounded, good and true, 

No selfish ends here must be met. 
You live for me, and I for you ; 

Then will each other's wants be met. 



150 (Poems for the Times. 



^ mAN I engage your school?'^ she said, 
[j] As gently she did raise her head — 
" Please let me know. I ^11 try to do 
My duty as a teacher true.^' 

A girl of seventeen summers stood 
In a beseeching attitude; 
She 'd called to see if he could give 
Employment by which she might live. 

This was a trustee of the school ; 
To him she went, as was the rule, 
And thus we find her pleading there, 
That she a teacher^s lot might share. 

Young, beautiful, accomplished, too, 
This girl stands up before our view; 
No parents has she — all have gone — 
And left her lonely and forlorn. 

Sweet Fanny Church had lived in wealth, 
Surrounded by all things but health. 
Frail had she been, e'en from her birth ; 
Still, in her heart we find true worth. 

When parents died and she was left, 
Of all her means was she bereft : 
She had an education, true- 
Teaching was all that she could do. 



The School=Te acker. 151 

The trustee looked, in thoughtful mood, 
And said, " I fear you never could 
Give satisfaction to the mind, 
If we should here a bargain bind." 

She asked him what would be the price 
He ^d give her. He said, in a trice, 
^^ You are a woman — do n^t you see 
You can ^t expect as much from me 

" As if a man you had have been : 
A greater price we give to him. 
Two dollars per week is what we give 
A woman — sure, with that she '11 live. 

"A man must have seven dollars per week 
Or another place he'd quickly seek ; 
But for women, there are plenty here 
To hire for this price, every year. 

"We'll board you — that is, board around — 
And better board can not be found ; 
Good wages you will truly make 
At prices I thus freely state." 

" O, that is strange ! why is it so — 
That such a difference you show ? 
If I, a woman, do as well 
As any man, the reason tell 

"Why I should work so cheap, while he 
Has so much higher price than me ? 
I can not see the justice here; 
To me, it is not very clear." 



15'2 ^Poems for the Thnes. 

" My dear, dear girl ! why, do n't you know 

That pure necessity will go 

A long, long way to show you why 

Our prices you must abide by?'' 

" Well, sir, please let me have the school ; 
I think I can submit to rules. 
And take what you have offered me : 
I do the best I can, you see." 

Poor girl ! she labored hard and well 
As any man that you could tell; 
Her place within that school-room there 
She filled with earnestness and care. 

She went from room to room, Avith book, 
And noted all the wants and looks ; 
Fatigued and weary was at night, 
She thought, " How could it all be right " — 

That she should pass through just the same 
As the man-teacher that there came — 
That he could have seven dollars per week, 
"While two must she take, and be meek. 

Dear Fannie ! you will see the time, 
When you the ladder upward climb, 
When you the ballot will possess, 
Your pay will equal his — no less. 

Take courage. If you are obliged 
To work so cheap, you must abide 
By what man says. Bat future time 
Will give you rights , as up you climb. 



The Happy (Pair. 153 

When you shall stand there by his side, 
And justice will triumphant ride, 
Then will you see a happy sight — 
You'll find that you will have your right. 



j^fHE now stands by the altar — 
^ A being, O so fair; 
^ The petted of another — 
No traces seen of care. 

Her bridal robes, so fleecy, 
Are loosely flowing 'round 

That slender form so lovely. 
Her hair with blossoms bound. 

That sweet, that lovely creature, 
Stands by her husband's side ; 

He speaks to her so tender, 
He loves his darling bride. 

Love's altar now is burning 
Within his manly heart; 

He now goes forth for learning 
New forms of Love's bright art. 

She's trusting — all confiding; 

This is her own dear choice : 
Of all the world abiding. 

None thrill as his sweet voice. 



154 (PoeTin^s for the Times. 

• She gives him all her treasures 

So near and dear to her; 
Her love can know no measure^ — 
She sees in him no blur. 

O ! lovely^ happy beings ! 

O ! try and always be 
Whatever we now are seeing — 

So full of joy and glee. 

You may have many crosses — 
As other mortals do — 

But through all gains or losses 
Be to each other true. 

Then will life be all sunshine — 
The clouds you '11 hardly see; 

Love will around your hearts twine 
In pure simplicity. 



Mkt MViimt mi lit ^IBmlnu., 

IjHE sublime we may by the ridiculous view, 
All over our beautiful land ; 
^^"^ The evil beside the good and the true, 
Which gives it a contrast so grand. 

We see the sublime in that noble form. 
That stands up in manhood's own might : 

!N"ow comes the ridiculous, passing along — 
We stand there and look at the sight. 



The Stiblime and the (Ridiculous. 155 

That great, noble form that God has so made, 

Becomes smeared by habits of filth ; 
Which over our minds now casts such a shade : 

Now we ask, do you mark this one's guilt? 

See him taking the poisonous weed within 

That mouth, with a mustache fair ; 
And a mammoth meerschaum now comes in, 

'I^eath the curls of that beautiful hair. 

Those beautiful orbs of azure blue, 

As they came from their Maker's hand. 

All bleared with drink, ere long we view : 
'Tis the fkvlt of a reckless man» 

A noble, manly form, erect, 

Steps firm and elastic, too ; 
Another, we see, a perfect wreck. 

His tottering steps we view. 

The great works of God are truly sublime, 

Man adds the ridiculous part ; 
Whatever God has made is truly divine. 

Unless 't is perverted by art. 

See the graceful form, with those golden curls — 

A form of Nature so true — 
The natural form of our beautiful girls, 

So lively indeed to our view. 

Beside that form of symmetry view 

Another, whose shape is small. 
All cramped and stayed, uncomely, too : 

Ridiculous ! shout we all. 



156 C^oems for the Times, 

We look at that graceful and modest dress, 

That trips along our street ; 
Another, whose folds on the pavement rest, 

To give it another sweep. 

The sublime, beside the ridiculous, gives 

To the true and sensible mind, 
That God has not made us for nothing to live, 

In this world that is good and divine. 

O live as our Father has made us to be — 

All pure, all humble and good. 
O let us discard whatever we see. 

That our judgment tells us we should. 

Whatever in habit, or fashion, or dress 

Will make us ridiculous here ; 
Turn from them; ay, as you would from some pest, 

As you meet it, and tremble with fear. 



Si PRECIOUS jewel here I find, 
^J Entrusted to my care; 
"'*- This little, pure, immortal mind, 
Within this casket fair. 

I tremble when I look upon 
This gem, so pure and bright, 

That I must treasure night and morn, 
And lead in paths of right. 



The Mother's Grayer. 157 

Help to unfold those noble powers, 

Teach lessons for its good, 
And guide those little feet each hour 

With Christian fortitude. 

Those little hands, so pure and white, 

Must never become stained 
With sin^s dark deeds — O spare the sight ! 

O save my heart such pain! 

I look — the task seems great to me. 

As, casting glances ^round, 
I see so much of misery 

And crime doth now abounds 

So many ways, so many snares. 

Are ready for those feet; 
They may, my darling, unawares, 

Entrap my jewel sweet. 

O, God! I put my trust in thee ! 

O guide me in the right! 
In childlike, meek simplicity 

Depend I on Thy might! 

O may those little feet ne'er stray' 

Tn those forbidden paths; 
But walk the straight and narrow way, 

And shun the ways of wrath ! 

Those jewel hands do deeds of love, 

Those eyes beam forth divine ; 
Those little lips sing praises above, 

That heart be good and kind. 



158 C^oems for the Times. 

To thee, O, Father, let me look 
For help, in time of need — 

To teach my child from Thy great Book 
Of Nature, which we read. 

My jewel, then, so dearly bought, 

This little pearl of life. 
Will grow to higher, loftier thought — 

Joy will his pathway light. 



Ill ©ijfirirt, 

fHE gentle stream as it opens wide, 
And is hurrying on so fast ; 
And swifter the eddying, glittering tide 
Leaps on as it rushes past. 

Now faster the current of the stream. 
Is going with main and might; 

The golden sun with dazzling beams. 
Presents a glorious sight. 

The roar is heard in the distance now. 
As madly the waves rush on — 

Tall trees before its force must bow, 
And be taken by power beyond. 

Louder and louder the sound appears. 
Till deafening the noise becomes : 

Great objects approach and disappear — 
They are lost when the next wave comes. 



The Cataract. 1&9 

Whirling and tossing, away it goes; 

O'er the mighty cliff it sweeps, 
Down, down to its watery bed below — 

To the cavern so low and so deep. 

Now slowly it wends its way along; 

Its fury now is spent: 
Its work is nDw finished — it passes on 

In its course, as it were, content. 

We 're reminded of life, in the cataract's sweep, 

As mortals in life begin ; 
Gently they pass in life so sweet, 

Know very little of siii. 

But as time rolls on new objects arise. 
From which they gather more strength. 

Which serves to make them good and wise, 
Bv which their actions are bent. 

Or perhaps in the whirlpool of passion or crime 

They are hurrying madly along. 
So that in after years they find 

Their strength is wasted and gone. 

Let us learn from all that we find in life, 

From the gentle stream that flows, 
To consider and learn to be truly wise, 

Nor rush as the cataract does. 



160 fPoems for the Times. 



)LI]SrG out the banner ! let it wave 

O'er all the land and sea, 
Till nations view its power to save, 
And shout, " All must be free ! " 

Columbus, when, in years gone past 

Did step upon the soil, 
And planted Freedom sure and fast. 

Through hardship, fear, and toil. 

He little knew how great the work 
His great endurance gave — 

He could not see the noble worth 
That little band so brave. 

They planted here, with hand so true, 

Those principles so strong. 
That Freedom gave, to me and you. 

That always rights the wrong. 

Then came our Pilgrim Fathers, too. 
On Plymouth Rock they stand. 

Advanced in principles more true, 
More noble, firm, and grand. 

Oppression held its grasp so firm 

O'er all these noble souls, 
Their steps toward the sunset turned, 

Their future to control. 



We Work for Liberty. 161 

Xhe glorious tratli of liberty 

Came from tlie very hour 
Our Pilgrim Fatliers' forms were seen 

Land froui the ship '^ Mayflower." 

We ^11 worship Gocl as we think best; 

No tyrant will we fear : 
No priest or potentate invest 

Our sanctuary here. 

The seed was sown and rooted deep 

Within this nation^s heart; 
'T was destined o'er our land to sweep 

With one tremendous dart. 

And years have come and gone, but still 

Those principles so free, 
In apite of cruel tyrant's will. 

Are ripening fast, we see. 

The British yoke we cast aside, 

We came out brave and strong ; 
And all our gates threw open wide. 

To those oppressed and wronged. 

Ere long we found within our land 

Yv"e held so near' and dear, 
A demon sought to take command, 

And plant his footsteps here. 

O slavery ! the curse we strove. 

With all our ransomed power. 
To banish from the land we love, 

In our rebellious hours. 



162 (^oe'^ns for the Times. 

Your form must perish^ Ioav your head 

Must lie beneath our feet; 
We see him, lying crushed and dead — 

Our victory is complete. 

We look again, and we behold 

Once more a tyrant^s form, 
That robs the victim — takes the soul, 

And turns the heart to stone. 

No more we see the manly form 
Of God^s own image given — 

All truth and goodness from him torn, 
And chains upon him riven. 

This enemy we now must fight, 

O fit use for the task ! 
May we sufficient be in might 

To chain this monster fast. 

Intemperance— thou dreadful curse 

Of all the human race! 
How long thy sorrows thus disburse — 

Our world how long disgrace ! 

O let us rally — one and all — 

To lay this monster low ! 
O hasten to our country^s call 

Of sorrow, grief, and woe. 

Those tearful eyes — those shrunken forms- 
Those wailings heard around — 

Those hopes now blasted, bruised, and torn- 
With voice of thunder sound ! 



We Work for Liberty. 163 

One million souls are passing on 

Within each yearly round : 
A million more, when these are gone^ 

Are ready to go down. 

Then let us cast a glance or so 

Upon the paupers left, 
That to our alms-house yearly go, 

And by our taxes kept. 

But worse than all, do we behold 

That great immortal part — 
We mean the ruin of the soul — 

Of Deity, a spark. 

Can we, with such a scene as this, 

Sit careless at our ease? 
Not thinking of our brother's bliss. 

Seeking ourselves to please? 

O selfish one ! where'er you are, 

Remember — at thy hand 
Thou It have to render up with care 

Of what thou dost command. 

O let us all together fight 

Like valiant soldiers true ! 
Soon we will triumph in the right. 

And victory will ensue. 

O, brother, work, and nobly too. 

Thy fallen sex redeem ; 
And sisters, let us fight it through. 

Beside our brothers seen. 



164 (Poeins for the Times. 

Fling out the temperance banner high! 

We '11 cast its folds around, 
Till all the earth will hear the cry — 

" This monster is cast down." 



s^ \%t Mmt%. 



fUSHING, splashing at thy will- 
\ Running down the sidelong hill- 
Glancing in the sunbeams there 
Waters, thou art everywhere — 
Gushing, dashing madly on, 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

Hear the great Niagara roar, 
As we stand upon its shore ; 
See the quiet little rill 
Trickling down the mossy hill — 
Smoothly, gently gliding on 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

Look beneath the ocean's bed ; 
There behold the sleeping dead; 
There, within thy liquid fold. 
Ghastly forms do we behold : 
Madly rush thy waves along. 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

God in nature placed you here 
As a blessing on our sphere ; 
Gave to man this sparkling drink. 
Without it he would surely sink. 



To the Waters. 165 

Gladly stand and sing thy song, 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

"Why should man — God's image here — 
Drink not from Nature's fountain clear? 
Pure water — how we love thy song — 
It makes the body firm and strong. 
O drink Qod^s drink as you pass on, 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

If all would drink from Nature's cup, 
No other draught would swallow up — 
No drunkard would our eyes behold, 
If all would drink pure water cold : 
To man does this pure drink belong. 
From sunset eve till dcAvy morn. 

What misery, and woe, and crime. 
That fill our hearts from time to time. 
From this our land would banished be 
If water none would drink but thee. 
Only this drink to man belongs. 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

O, let us cast all else away. 

And let pure water hold the sway ; 

As plenteously 't is all around. 

In flowing streams beneath the ground — 

Rushing, gushing, flowing on. 

From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

Our Father is so good and wise; 
His works we see before our eyes ; 



166 (Poems for the Times. 

His blessings scattered all around, 
And buried deep beneath the ground. 
We view them, as we 're passing on, 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

O, let us learn from Water's book, 
And drink from Nature's running brook; 
And all false notions cast aside, 
By Nature's laws let us abide ; 
And drink to us what doth belong. 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

Then let thy streams, so pure and bright, 
Become our pleasure and delight. 
From Nature's cup we all will drink ; 
Then will we clearer, better think ; 
Then calmly will we pass along. 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

Then will we better do our part. 
And with a firmer, truer heart ; 
And while we are remaining here. 
Then will we be what we appear ; 
We '11 do our mission and pass on. 
From sunset eve till dewy morn. 

Eushing, splashing at thy will — 
Running gently down the hill — 
Glancing in the sunbeam there : 
Waters, thou art everywhere — 
Eunning, gliding smoothly on, 
Prom sunset eve till dewy morn. 



Music. 167 



^HE!N", dark and desponding, our hearts 

Are shrinking from something unseen, 
"When dear ones take leave and depart, 
And we feel despondent within — 
^T is then that those rich, heavenly strains will us cheer, 
As the strains of sweet music fall on our sad ear. 

Round the bier of a dear, loving friend 

It lends an enchantment that^s sweet. 
We feel as though this life hath an end, 

And death all humanity meets ; 
Those symphonies fine, as they strike on our ear. 
Make us think that in death bright heaven is near. 

In the Church, the most sacred of all. 

As the pastor has ended his prayer. 
When the heavenly tones slowly fall 

On our ear, as we 're listening there ; 
They 're like emblems of heaven, those beautiful strains : 
We stand there enchanted, as from heaven it came. 

We retire to our bed for repose. 

All 's silence without and within ; 
On the air a rich melody rose, 

In our dreams did we hear angels sing. 
It calms all the terror within this poor breast. 
And soon soothes us back to sweet, quiet rest. . 



168 ^oems for the Times. 

When the forces go forth to the fight, 
And the music then calls them to stand, 

It imbues the true soldier with might 

When he hears the rich strains of the band. 

The power that it has o'er the captain, we know 

It urges him on to vanquish his foe. 

In the school-room we hear with delight 

The voices of children that sing ; 
It fills all those hearts, makes them light, 

And harmony soon will it bring. 
It appears like the door of the soul to the child ; 
It soothes all its humor — makes all calm and mild. 

Wherever we go, in this life. 

We greet thy sweet voice, soft and sweet. 
Which smooths the rough places through life. 

And makes our condition complete. 
O give us sweet music while here we must stay ! 
On its wings may our spirit be wafted away ! 

What would this dark world be to us 
If Music's dear charms we had not ! 

could we e'er Life's bitter cup 
Drink here, and go sorrowing not! 

If mingled we never could have those soft notes 
That o'er our sad spirit now tranquilly floats. 

1 oft think of those who are deaf — 

Who never drink in with those charms. 
O I think that their life is bereft 

Of a great source of solace and balm. 



Music. 169 

No sound so angelic, no tone e^er so sweet, 
Hath e'er been permitted that deaf ear to meet. 

May never my lot be so sad 

That I can not catch Music's sweet notes — 
For when life seems to frown and be mad, 

O then on sweet Music I dote. 
Then calmly I '11 sit and list to its strains. 
And rise up, prepared for life's burdens again. 

Heavenly messenger, sent here to earth 

To quiet the tumult within ! 
An angel of glorious birth. 

To lead us away from all sin ! 
May ever thy light be known here to shine. 
And may ever be felt here thy presence divine. 

The birth of our Savior was given 

To men through the musical choir 
Of heaven ; the song was then riven 

Through the air — it rang louder and higher. 
A song of glad tidings to earth then was given — 
Hosannah ! we 've opened the way toward heaven. 

I could sit where thy charms could be felt, 

(Not heaven could be dearer to me ;) 
At thy shrine, O, sweet charms, have I knelt, 

And no place can I happier be. 
Thy strains will waft all of Life's sorrow away, 
And turn the dark night to a glorious day. 

Where'er I lie down this poor form. 
And take my heavenly flight. 



170 (Poems for the Times. 

May thy melodies drive the dark storm, 

And open the gates of delight. 
Go with me across the dark bridge of the dead, 
And on thy dear bosom, O pillow my head. 

Sweet Music, henceforth thou art mine, 
In sorrow, in sickness, and death ; 

And since thou art mine I am thine. 
Until I may give my last breath. 

Companions in life together, may we 

Never part as we cross the dark, raging sea. 



'^'^|E behold, as we 're passing along through the street, 
A sweet, lovely form with majestic sweep. 
Adorned in her cliignon of monstrous size, 
And with beautiful arches over her eyes. 

A long, lovely trail and a pannier so large. 
More rigging has she than most any barge; 
The bend, and the bustle so large, now complete 
The elaborate dress of this lady so neat 

Beside this being in full dress we find 

A coxcomb so rare, with a very small mind ; 

He 's wearing his hat a little ajar. 

And, of course, in his mouth a Havana cigar. 

His dress is so neat and close-fitting too ; 

His pants are so tight he hardly can go; 

His boots shine so bright on his feet very neat: 

And his boots are drawn tight o'er his small, genteel feet. 



The Unhappy (Pair. 171 

He plays the agreeable to her very well ; 
She looks here much sweeter than tongue e'er can tell. 
They are passing along through our broad, busy street, 
An example of style, all very complete. 

As Time 's rolling on, this couple so gay 
Must a different part in this life-drama play; 
They wedded will be, and in time settle down, 
And perchance have a family in our great town. 

We now see those gay garments all laid aside, 

Soon after this girl has become a young bride; 

She has worked all the roses from off her sweet face. 

And those dark, arching eye-brows you scarcely can trace. 

She 's thrown away her style, and he 's banished hisy 
And they both now can see just where they have missed. 
The reality comes — they both try for awhile 
To live in a union that 's* brought round by style. 

But soon a hard coldness is seen in them both ; 

In each other they see nothing worthy of note; 

He takes his large meerschaum, (has dropped the cigar,) 

And she, too, has dropped the large pannier she wore. 

Deceived have they been by each other in life. 

And now they, unmasked, must stand out in the strife ; 

Unhappy are both — no love do we find. 

There is nothing that now can in unity bind. 

She is often heard scolding, and frets all the while ; 
He loves his dear meerschaum but is ne'er seen to smile ; 
They are married by law, there is naught to disgrace. 
But the union of love — there 's none in that place. 



172 (^oems for the Times. 

Together they go, all life's journey through 

Or get a divorce, (as many now do ;) 

Their hopes are all blasted — naught can them beguile ; 

And is this the effect of putting on style? 

O, mortals, tear off these masks you now wear ! 
Be truthful to those, whoever they are. 
Whom you are about to take partners for life : 
Be true to your husband — be true to your wife. 



''imWi Wittoit mmU \$ ^tMr 

tEHOLD the prompter of the soul 
Labors, in wisdom, to control 
The onward movements of the mind, 
As up the ladder now we climb. 

Faith smiles — looks upward — lifts the head- 
As onward in our pathway led; 
We strive to rise — to work our plans, 
And do the part of mortal man. 

If beings, placed on earth to dwell, 
Had not that faith that would dispel 
Dark clouds that hover o'er them here, 
Bright objects never would appear. 

But mark the eye discern the light, 
Sparkling with joy — radiant and bright: 
Faith lends a charm as we aspire 
To something holy — something higher. 



''Faith Without Works is (Leadr 173 

Faith gives us confidence in all, 
And loudly doth for justice call: 
Through faith we act for one another; 
Through faith we see each man our brother. 

If plans in life we seek to form, 
Inspired by faith we pass along, 
Still looking upward to the prize, 
We keep the mark before our eyes. 

If man possessed not this dear gem, 
Nothing on earth could he do then ; 
If he had faith, as oft is said. 
And labors not, his faith is dead. 

Faith bringeth forth all works anew, 
Labors thus earnestly and true; 
In Jacob's ladder we may see 
Faith takes the lowest of the three. 

The bottom round Faith steps upon. 
Preparing all for passing on; 
Still looking up soon Hope it spies — 
Behold the labor for the prize. 

Reaching, w^ith strength sublime and grand, 
Beyond this dark and gloomy land; 
Up, up it goes, beyond the skies — 
On wings of angels now it flies 

Beyond this vale of tears and sighs, 
Until a brighter sphere it spies; 
There it beholds our glorious home — 
Looks out into the great unknown. 



174 C^oems for the Times. 

Inspired by Faith — this angel sweet — 
Great crosses here in life we meet; 
Do all that 's left for us to do — 
Have confidence in all we view^ 

Life is a blank without thy smiles 
To cheer the heart — its woes beguile; 
To help us through the stormy night, 
And give to us a brighter sight. 

O smile upon my pathway here! 
O make my thorny way shine clear! 
Give me thy cheering counsel now, 
And drive the shadows from my brow. 

The ladder ne'er can be complete 
From earth to heaven's great mercy-seat, 
Unless thou takest the lower round, 
Lifting poor mortals from the ground. 

O blessed angel! how divine! 
Around my heart thy presence shines. 
Urging me on in deeds of love: 
Keeping my eyes raised far above. 

All care and tumult — toil and strife 
That fill this weary, earthly life. 
Is naught to bear when thou art near. 
For then we know we 've naught to fear. 

Be thou my steady beacon star. 
At home — abroad — in lands afar : 
O stand thou ever by my side ! 
My footsteps wilt thou ever guide. 



^^ Hope is an Anchor to the Soul" 175 

Then will I work with all my might, 
And do whate'er I think is ri^ht: 
To brother — sister — that I view, 
I ever will myself prove true. 

Let me show forth to all below 

Thy principles that freely flow, 

And as I ever may be led 

Show "faith without wo7^ks'' truly "dead.'' 



'3F mortals could ne'er have thy cheering light, 
^ Battles in life they never could fight: 
^ Soon all would seem like night. 
Inspired by hope, we willing are 
To bear our cross, and wear our scar. 
Still looking up for light. 

Cheerfully all our tasks will be done, 
(Believing that thus may the laurels be won,) 

Through Hope's effulgent rays. 
Toiling through cold, and storms, and clouds. 
Until this form shall wear the shroud. 

And ended are our days. 

Hope — blessed Hope! — how sweet to dwell 
Within thine arms ! I love thee well : 

O stay thou ever near ! 
O keep my heart from sinking down, 
As I, in all life's Avalks, am found: 

Then will I never fear. 



176 ^oems for the Times. 

My stay throughout all life's sad ills, 
My heart with strength the present fills, 

And all my future plans: 
Aided by thee, I'm willing here 
To pass through scenes e'en so severe, 

To do what good I can. 

Hope dwells in every human breast, 
And on the great pedestal rests 

All future actions here : 
Inspired — sustained by her bright eyes, 
We labor hard to win the prize, 

Through storms in life severe. 

Uplifted are our spirits when 

Hope hath our ^^ guardian angel" been; 

She urges mortals on. 
We never think of failing. No ! 
We onward — upward — surely go. 

Through pride, contempt, and scorn. 

Hope lifts the sight up higher — higher : 
More firmly do our hearts aspire. 

Nor care if we must climb. 
With courage true w^e yet press on, 
Nor stop till strength and nerve is gone; 

We leave all gloom behind. 

The brightest angel of the land 
Is Hope, with her courageous band, 

Helping poor mortals rise: 
She stands so firm, and says, " Arise !" 
Points upward to the heavenly skies; 

Saith, ^^Seek— O seek the prize!" 



Charity Suffer eth Long. 177 

'Tis all the aid reformers hath 
To lead the erring in the path 

Of Virtue's holy band. 
It gives them courage — makes them brave : 
Thinking that others they may save 

From lives of low despond. 

Then may we ever have thee near : 
Then will our pathway shine out clear, 

If thou wilt us console. 
May we show forth to all we see, 
That Hope, in future life, will be 

An *^ anchor to the soul.'' 



H- 



fe %M! 



J^NGEL of love, divinely pure, 
OT Dweller with sister Hope, 
^ For ills in life hast thou a cure : 
In kindness hast thou spoke. 

Naught in this life, beheld by thee. 
But hath redeeming traits ; 

All evil must before thee flee : 
Good from the bad thou 'It make. 

Behold the man that gives his gold 

To satisfy his mind; 
Oft has the story thus been told 

"Charity with him we find." 



178 ^oefns for the Times. 

He gave through selfishness, we see, 
To gain applause of men; 

The ^^ sounding brass" — not charity- 
Rings in our ears again. 

The " widow's mite " she freely gave 
'T was all that she possessed ; 

True charity made her so brave : 
In giving was she blest. 

Charity looks on an erring one 
With love, and pity, too; 

No mortal here on earth it shuns. 
But brings all good to view. 

No creed or sect hath Charity, 
But freedom of the mind 

Does bring to life that purity 
Hidden in human kind. 

It moves from principle and love; 

Is tender when it speaks ; 
Lifts erring mortals far above 
The level they may seek. 

It climbs the ladder Jacob saw, 
It takes the topmost round ; 

Views all below with love and awe, 
And on no being frowns 

Endureth all things for their good: 

Suifereth, and is kind; 
Tries all, till they are understood : 

Searches that good to find. 



Charity Suffereth Long. 179 

Of these three angels ever near, 

The sweetest she must be; 
Faith brings the distant ever near, 

Hope smiles on Charity. 

No harsh or angry words come forth, 

To crush the weak or frail ; 
But mildness speaketh out true worth, 

Where'er we meet the gale. 

Sublime yet quiet Charity 

Bears all — sees in all good ; 
Suffers in her timidity, 

Yet oft misunderstood. 

Pure angel, let thy dwelling-place 

Be found within my heart; 
Let me behold thy shining face, 

O never from me part! 

Thy golden rays, O, cast around 

All those that dwell on earth ; 
Let thine abiding-place be found, 

And fill the heart with mirth. 

Throughout this world, O let us see 

Thy suffering form now stand ; 
Go forth, in deeds of kindness free, 

To mortals m our land. 

Eeclaim the fallen — help the weak — 

Make all to firmly stand; 
May all that try thy face to seek 

Behold thy beauty grand. 



180 (Poems for the Times. 

Charity still suffers, and is kind: 
Bids every mortal rise, 

Unfolds the noble powers of mind, 
And makes all good and wise. 

O let us all try to possess 
This treasure in our mind ; 

And show to all its power to bless — 
Show charityy so kind. 



ite '^mt imtul late, 

jg'^LOWLY and silently, passing along, 
^ Another poor soul from sorrow has gone : 
^ Gone to the future — -the city of dread, — 
Soon will she lie in that low, narrow bed. 

No one to mourn — no tear will fall — 
No one to scatter sweet flowers on her pall : 
An orphan she was — no friend has she here 
To stand by her bedside or walk by her bier. 

Tempted she was in life, we are told ; 
She spurned from her sight the tempter's bright gold ; 
She lived by thus toiling with needle and thread. 
To earn a small pittance, that bought her day's bread. 

In a garret so small, so clean, and so neat, 
A table, a cot, and a chair will complete 
The furnished apartment of this one so lone. 
Deprived of 07ie friend to cheer this sad home. 



The Lone Fm-ieral Train. 181 

She labored so earnest, so firm, and so strong, 
To help the dear mother, that suffered so long, 
Till Death did release, with his great, mighty hand, 
And took her away from this sorrowful land. 

That child, as she stood in her innocence there, 
So willing to do for that mother, with care, 
Ne^er thought that htr time so short here would be, 
Ere her suffering spirit would thus be set free. 

She said, as she stood by that newly-made mound, 
O mother, dear mother, now sleeps there so sound ! 
And I all alone, must dwell on this plain. 
With no one to care for my sorrow or pain. 

Why was I afflicted — O why thus distressed ! 
While others with riches of earth I see blest ? 
O, Father in heaven ! now show this thy child, 
Why /should see want, while others hath spoils. 

This sorrowing child, so smitten with grief. 
Has now, from earth's grievances, here found relief; 
She 's gone from the burdens of care, here in life : 
Has passed the dark portals of pain, woe, and strife. 

'T is thus that the poor, all over our land. 
In want and in poverty constantly stand — 
While rich men grow richer, in gold and in soil, 
And 'poor ones grow poorer, yet live here and toil. 

There 's money enough, and bread enough too, 
If equally spread, to feed all we view — 
To clothe and to shelter, all over our land. 
These victims, so marked with Poverty\s brand. 



182 (Poems for the Times. 

And why will they hold with such a firm grasp 
Their gold ? They will find it will canker at last : 
Their heads will soon lie as low as this one — 
They then will be asked what good they have done. 



IE talk of joys and sorrows 
In life, — we often find 

That many times we harrow 
This sadness in our mind. 

We feel dark clouds come o'er us, 
Which sadden often times; 

But soon they pass, and show us 
The sun doth brightly shine. 

We often, in our shadows, 
Think darkness is our lot ; 

But O, our minds are narrow ! 
The sunshine we see not. 

For every cloud of darkness 

A silver lining hath : 
A gem of light doth sparkle 

Beneath each cloud of wrath. 

Each day of gloom and anguish. 
Must have its counterpart : 

Else mortals here would languish. 
And from this life depart. 



To My (bear Mother. 183 

The days and nights are equal, 

As through the year they run : 
This gives to us a sequel 

Of joy and grief to come. 

For every hour of sorrow 

An hour of joy will come — 
Then may we never borrow 

Our ills before they come. 

"Whate'er be our condition — 

That which we can 't control, 
Let 's yield to, with submission. 

And take life as a whole. 



I 



(S §mt ^ 



SHOU art gone from this land of tumult and strife 
jpl To that beautiful land above, 
^^ Where the sad, weary soul arises in life 
To the joys of our great Father's love. 

Dear mother, my love I can never express : 

Ever near me thou seemest to stand; 
For sorrow or grief thou bringest redress, 

Ever holding that kind loving hand. 

How much have I thought of the moments now passed, 

"When earth was thy dwelling below ; 
And how many shadows around me are cast 

When I think of the time thou didst go. 



X84 (Poenis for the Times. 

I look back on my life, and with sorrow I think 
Of the long gloomy hours that we spent, 

When our mother was taken, and the cup we must drink 
O ! how were our hearts sadly rent. 

" O give me my mother ! O give her to me ! " 
Were the words that I uttered that day : 

'^ I never can live in this world without thee ; 
Come to us, dear mother, I say." 

To all my entreaties no lisp of response — 

No word from that river beyond ; 
No tone, neither look, came forth to enhance 

My heart, or help me along. 

No, all seemed like dark clouds rolled over me now; 

My sky seemed to me black as night : 
To my Father's decree henceforth must I bow — 

To God who doeth all right. 

He saith : " My dear child, remember that I 

Will watch o'er the orphan distressed : 
I will lead them, if they will upon me rely. 

To the portals of heavenly rest. 

" Your mother, though not to be seen in this form, 
Now lives, and your pathway will bless : 

Your ^Guardian Angel,' to lead your feet on, 
Will she be, and will guide you to rest." 

I remember your trials, dear mother, while here. 

Although I was then young in life; 
Yet many is the time V ve noted sad tears 

Streaming forth from your dark hazel eyes. 



Tlie Letter. 185 

Yet cheerful through all, resigned to thy lot, 

Thy duty a pleasure to thee ; 
Thy form and thy features can ne'er be forgot, 

And often thy smiles come to me. 

O may I, dear mother, one day come you. 

When life^s stormy days are all o'er : 
Once more thy sweet face, in heaven let me view 

As I land on that beautiful shore. 

To dwell in thy presence, dear mother, would be 

All, all that I ever would ask : 
Let me dwell with my mother — her face let me see. 

In the light of her smiles let me bask. 

When the storms are all over, methinks that I hear 

Her voice, coming forth now to meet 
My soul — as she says : " O come now, my dear. 

With joy now each other we greet.'' 



|HILE looking o'er this budget, 
I I 've had a long, long while, 
I find a little letter 

That traveled many a mile. 
It speaks in tones so pleasant. 

Of days of long ago ; 

It gives me many longings 

In distant lands to go. 



186 ^oem^s for the Times. 

I find within the missive 

These words of long ago : 
" Come liome to us, dear mother, 

For Jennie wants you so." 
I take this little letter 

And read it o'er with care, 
And think of her who wrote it 

Away — away out there. 

She then was at my dwelling — 

That loving child so sweet; 
But time has done the telling, 

And led those little feet. 
Away from home and parents 

Those feet have long since gone, 
To be, in her own dwelling, 

The head, the corner-stone. 

^T is thus we see time telling 
The story long and well ; 

And soon, its tone still ringing, 
Will toll the last sad knell. 

may we all feel willing 
To answer, when the call 

May come for us to enter 
The long and narrow hall. 

And may we feel like saying 
^' My work is all, all done ; 

1 care not I am going 

To meet my friends at home." 
This letter I 'm still holding, 
I gently fold it up; 



Kind V/ords. 187 

I tiling of that dear meeting 
And her I love so much. 

I think, perhaps, I ^11 meet her, 

It may be on this land; 
If not, I know I '11 greet her 

When I get o'er the strand. 
Life 's but a life of dreaming, 

It soon will pass away ; 
We '11 find that we 've been gleaning 

Sheafs for another day. 



^IND words are not worthless, though very small things ; 
J^ They lighten the burden, they cure the bad sting 

^ Of conditions so hard, all over this earth — 
To some they would be of very great Avorth. 

We meet little children, in sorrow and tears; 

Their hearts seem like bursting, between hope and fear. 

Speak kindly will we — how soon do we see 

It drives the sad tears and they 're smiling with glee. 

The widow that labors so hard, day by day. 
To sustain those dear children, with very small pay : 
It is her heart that sinks as she goes her sad road ; 
Speak kindly to her, 'twill lighten her load. 

The wife of a drunkard, whose life is so dark : 
No ray comes to light, not a very small spark; 
She feels that the load that she carries is great. 
Speak kindly. You do n't know but this is your fate. 



188 (Poeii'is for the Times. 

The husband that comes in so weary from toil, 
He 's labored since morn, toiling hard in the soil ; 
Fatigued he becomes ; he seeks quiet and rest : 
Speak kindly, dear wife, in your words is he blest. 

The wife that has labored all day, with such care. 
To care for those little ones left with her there, 
Is w^eary at night and longs for repose : 
Speak kindly, dear husband, and do n't act morose. 

The children in school, that are weary at night. 
By studying and sitting so straight, so upright, 
E,epair to their homes ; and, though a great care, 
Speakly kindly to them — their love you will share. 

The teacher that's labored so hard for your good, 
In so many ways to prepare your mind's food. 
Feels worn and depressed at the end of the day : 
Speak kindly to her, and always obey. 

We all must grow old in a very short time : 
The cord of our lives doth each day unwind ; 
We soon will be old, if we live in this sphere ; 
Kind words will we need from others while here. 

The outcast knows well how bad is her state : . 

Be thankful if this be not your sad fate. 

Speak kind to the erring, O try to reform 

Thy sister, that wanders on earth, through such storm. 

Speak kind to the drunkard — O sad is his fate ! 
O try and his manhood within him awake! 
Lead him kindly and gently, perhaps you may see 
That through your kind words your brother is free. 



Satanfs (Proclamation. 189 

Kind words turn away all wrath, passion, or ire, 
And will kindle within Love's bright, happy fire; 
And make the dispenser rejoice in his heart 
That he has been able great good to impart. 

Speak kindly to all, in high life or low ; 

It never can cost you a cent to bestow 

Kind words upon every one, where'er you meet; 

Your heart will be lighter, and sweeter your sleep. 



NOW declare to all below 
That I will unto mortals show 
Whatever I will; and must control 
Whatever my labors may unfold. 
My kingdom here is formed, you see ; 
I live to cause you misery. 
Sorrow, and wretchedness, and crime 
Are what now occupy my time ; 
Where'er you find the glittering gold, 
There I a fiercer grasp do. hold. 
My agents that can serve me best. 
And do my work with greatest zest. 
Are those that thirst for shining gold, 
Nor care if they should self their souls ; 
If but this treasure they possess. 
They '11 barter future happiness. 
Ready are they to do whatever 
I ask, though e'en it be severe ; 



190 (^oems for the Tmies. 

They '11 take the orphan's only hope ; 

(And this I think a capital joke.) 

The widow they will drive to want : 

(I lecture them whene'er they do n't.) 

The poor, the needy oft must feel 

My power ; 't is shown in looks of steel. 

I force my way through every glen : 

I raise my throne and sit there then ; 

I study well to do my part, . 

To harden man's obdurate heart. 

Nor do I work here in your land 

To help unfold true good in man. 

No ! this is not for me to do, 

Though some may say so, that is true. 

With all my powers I hold him back. 

Nor do I ever agents lack 

To aid me in all future plans. 

To do my work and mislead man. 

Deception will I always use: 

All worth or wisdom I abuse. 

I keep my victims, w^ien once caught. 

For dearly are these creatures bought ; 

I tread your earth by night and day. 

With open eyes, my games to play ; 

I visit nearly every home. 

Nor let the Christian man alone. 

I take the only son he loves. 

And oft in me he sees the dove ; 

I 'm luring him from Virtue's ways, 

And many characters I play. 

O, yes ! the wine ! the sparkling wine ! 

I 've used its power from time to time. 



Satan's (Proclamation. 191 

Good weapon hast thou always been, 
To do my work with sons of men. 
Go to the bacchanalian chair ; 
Behold my presence ! I 'm always there — 
There, placed behind that luring bar, 
My tools, my imps, both near and far ; 
The mark of Cain upon their brow 
Tells me they willing subjects bow. 
The glittering wealth, the shining gold 
Helps me to this their service bold ; 
They do my bidding, caring not 
For aught if they but get the rock. 
I laugh, I dance with fiendish glee 
Whene'er I cause such misery, 
Whene'er I see my work go on, 
Making humanity forlorn, 
We have a joyous, festive time, 
As we behold the sparkling wine. 
Myself enthroned within the cup — 
The draught that man oft swallows up — 
My imps stand round and join with me: 
We all then join in fiendish glee. 
I send damnation to the soul; 
I have the body and the whole : 
The body I devour while here, 
The soul I take to hell, now near. 
The helpless ones, now left behind. 
In chains of poverty I bind; 
And w^hen a victim new comes in, 
I show my face — put pn my grin: 
Then will we all join in the dance. 
As I mav see the cause advance. 



192 (Poems for the Times. 

My imps^ that I can thus control, 

In life their bodies must I hold ; 

They 're mme— the body and the soul. 

They live with me, you clearly see — 

With me enter eternity : 

Look back, in after years, to see 

Their work of sin and misery. 

As memory quickens every act. 

They look: they know they can 't retract; 

What 's done, remains : stands out to view ; 

Blot out, that you can never do : 

It stands to all eternity. 

Thy work before thee must thou see; 

I take my labor beyond time; 

Thus, wilt thou see, I firmly bind 

In fetters strong, while here we live, 

Nor freedom in the future give. 

W^hen I behold the tears and moans, 

The orphan's cry, the Avidow's groans: 

The want and poverty, the crime: 

Diseased, distorted, ruined mind ; 

The murder, wretchedness, and woe; 

The blasted hopes, before they know 

Distress, un happiness in life. 

Of husbands, fathers, mothers, wives; 

The barefoot children, homeless driven, 

Disgrace a mark upon them riven; 

The fiendish passion, now set free : 

Licentiousness, perfidity ; 

Of broken vows from time to time : 

The ruin of a noble mind. 

That fill our halls, and chairs of state — 



Satan's (Proclan'iation. 193 

Of la^vyers, doctors, judges great, 
And even ministers of God, 
(And many have my pathway trod) : 
They Ve stepped within my realm of sin, 
And gone to graves dishonored then ; 
The prostitution caused by me, 
In haunts of crime and misery — 
All, all this work I count as mine: 
All this I do from time to time. 
Not only here my works you see : 
It goes into eternity. 
When I review these labors done, 
When I behold them, one by one, 
'Tis then I feel my wondrous power 
I have o'er all on earth each hour. 
I do rejoice whene'er I scan 
The games I play with selfish man. 
Sometimes, to lead my victims on, 
I act the part of heaven's own Son; 
I take the livery of Heaven 
(To serve my purpose it is given) ; 
I clothe myself in light divine, 
I make my garments thus to shine: 
Then I behold, with pure delight. 
Men are deceived by outward sight. 
Whene'er I wish my card to play, 
To draw the innocent away. 
The unsuspecting one to snare. 
And lead them to the lion's lair. 
Then loving words I kindly speak. 
This way I oft allure the weak, 
Frail woman, full of innocence; 
9 



194 (^oems for the Times. 

I come to her with false pretense, 

To her, the great embodiment 

Of honor and emollient. 

I draw around those cords of love 

(She sees an angel from above); 

I get her heart within my grasp, 

Nor let her from my fingers pass, 

Till I have ruined all her hopes ; 

Then of her sorrows I make note, 

And laugh as only Satan can : 

Tliat works the demon through the man. 

Ere long I view, with glittering eyes, 

That I have well secured my prize : 

Down — -down she goes — to depths of hell ! 

More misery, crime, on earth to tell : 

Peopling the regions of despair 

Under my superficial care. 

There is a point I can not reach : 

True Wisdom I can never teach ; 

But, sometimes, those that see my deeds 

Are led true Wisdom^s word to heed. 

And when they look to higher power. 

They form, 'twixt them and me, a tower. 

I ne'er can touch, or even see, 

Those that love Christianity. 

A voice then speaks, in thundrous tones : 

" Satan, let these, my lambs, alone ! 

So far, no farther, canst thou go, 

And carry forth thy scourge of woe. 

But stop! Do nH step on holy ground — 

Here works of thine can ne'er be found : 

This is a state of blessedness : 



Time. 195 



Go to thy realm of wretehednessj^ 
Where'er I hear this great command, 
Where'er I see this mighty hand, 
I know my work is finished then, 
And there I pause — my labors end. 



*EACH beating pulse comes, telling fast 
mi That Time is passing on : 
^ Each tick that 's echoed by the clock 
Tells of a moment gone. 

Each breath we draw, is one the less 
That we shall have, while here : 

Each step we take Avill one less make, 
While walking o'er our sphere. 

Time counts the moments as they fly ; 

Each one is noted down ; 
'T is thus the hours go quickly by. 

And thus the days roll round. 

Days lengthen into months so soon. 

And swiftly glide away : 
Months make the years ; and this is when 

Time counts in many ways. 

Years roll along, and soon we find 

A score of them hath fled ; 
And four of these, ten added on. 

Hath man through life now led. 



196 c? 06711.3 for the Times. 

Time makes the germ within the ground, 

And brings it forth to view : 
Though very small, yet Time hath brought 

This plant forth, as it grew. 

Now note the process — see the work — 

Unfolding from that germ ; 
As passing Time unfolds to you 

Each leaf, and shoot, in turn. 

And soon the little buds are formed, 
And green leaves, one by one : 

And as the days now pass along 
Behold what noiG hath come ! 

Gently unfolding, nov/, our eye 

A lovely sight may scan : 
The flowers, so lovely to our view, 

Hath Time here given to man. 

Ere long they fade and fall away ; 

Have lost all beauty now; 
Time, for the flowers, hath made their heads 

In meek submission bow. 

Appearing on the tiny stem, 

The fruit begins to form : 
Now perfect, in its kind is seen 

The ripening coming on. 

Time gives to us, remaining here, 

Fruits, in their seasons each : 
The tiny berry of the field. 

The apple, and the peach. 



Time. 197 

Down deep within the soil we plant 

A wee small acorn there : 
Time goes to work, as Nature toils, 

To open it with care. 

Within a short, short space of time. 
From out that wee small thing, 
A germ is seen there, starting out. 
And upward, soon it springs. 

See, just above the ground it peeps, 

So small, you scarce can find 
This plant — this young and tender shoot — 

And now it higher climbs. 

The leaves unfold, now, one by one. 

Brought perfect to our view, 
As onward, upward, now it shoots 

With firmness e'er so true. 

Ere long we see, as Time unfolds 

In progress, day by day. 
It stretches up, and on, and on, 

From earth far, far away. 

Now towering there above our heads. 

The mammoth tree now view : 
The monarch of the forest there. 

Overlooking all below. 

It stands there in its power and might, 

King of the wood and glen; 
All to his majesty must bow — 

To him all others bend. 



198 (Poems for the Times. 

But note, as Time its moments count, 
We see a change is wrought : 

This grand old king now totters — falls : 
Low down his head is brought. 

Now mark the change that Time unfolds 
Within that huge old trunk 

He puts his lingers down, and lo! 
Down deep we find them sunk. 

Ere long naught can be seen where once 
That mighty oak had grown : 

All that stood there, so tall and grand, 
Forever now hath flown. 

An infant boy plays by the side 

Of his dear mother there ; 
She loves her babe — ^his merry laugh 

Eings out upon the air. 

Time puts his hand upon that form : 

The infant is no more; 
But now a child stands out to view, 

Running around the floor. 

Once more we see the hand of Time 

Unfolding to our view 
A youth, with noble brow and mein, 

Grown tall and slender too. 

Another touch, and now again 

See what before us stands : 
A body strong, and nerves firm too — 

We look upon a man. 



Time. 199 

Time now is playing with the locks 

Of black and shining jet: 
His hand is passing through and through — 

His locks will soon be wet. 

And now behold ! the silver threads 

Are coming in so fast : 
The form is bending down so low, 

And he goes tottering past. 

Those shining curls are snowy white — 
They 're bleached by this same hand ; 

The fe,ce is wrinkled — dim the eyes — 
He 's going down. Poor man ! 

He scarce can speak. His withered form 

ISTow totters on his staff: 
His hour hath come — he lieth down — 

Time taketh him at last. 

'T is thus we see Time working change 

In all beneath the sun : 
All— all must bow to his decree — 

All here on earth begun. 

When Time shall lay his ruthless hand 

Upon this form I wear, 
O may my spirit fly away 

To join the angels there. 

And you, my friend, where'er you are, 

May you be pure in mind, 
And may your spirit soar away 

Beyond the shores of Time. 



200 (Poems for the Tini.es. 



a (|]1 PITY me! O be my friend! 
An ear unto ray story lend : 
O why was I placed on this sod, 
To be thus smitten with the rod? 
And must I dwell here all my life, 
To hear reproach and meet with strife, 
Without one ray of hope in view ? 
O, sister, sister, tell me true !" 
These sorrowing words that I have penned 
Came from a heart with anguish rent: 
A woman gave these words to me. 
And now I give them unto thee. 
I felt an interest in this one, 
So sad, forsaken, and alone : 
I gently took her hand in mine, 
And said, ^^ I '11 be a friend of thine, 
Dear sister — now, O tell me true. 
Why this sad picture here I view — 
Why all these sighs — why all these tears — 
I am thy friend, O never fear!" 
I '11 give you something of the scene 
That came before my vision then : 
A woman clad in garments old. 
With form all shivering, pinched with cold- 
Her hair was dangling from her head; 
Her face as pale as e'en the dead : 
From head to foot she wore the scars 
Of many fierce and bloody wars. 



Wroitged. 201 

She came and sat down by my side ; 
To me her heart she opened wide : 
Her story here I ^11 try to give, 
As I from her did it receive. 

once I was a happy bride ! 

And for my husband felt that pride 
That all true wives must feel, you know, 
And on their husbands do bestow. 

1 loved him dearly — thought him mine — 
And round him like the ivy twined. 

I felt so happy, so secure : 
I thought my heaven on earth was sure; 
But scarcely had a year gone round 
Ere all my hopes fell to the ground. 
My home, where I had loved to dwell. 
Became to me a very hell ! 
Foul passion came, in fiendish form. 
And from my home my loved one tore ! 
Since that I We led a wretched life. 
In sorrow, tumult, fear, and strife : 
His hand has felled me to the ground. 
And by my hair has dragged me round! 
The scars you see upon my head. 
And o^er my person, as I Ve said. 
Are wounds inflicted by the hand 
Of that foul being you call man V^ 
"What was the cause of this sad change 
That thus your home so disarranged? 
What caused his love to wane for you? 
O, sister, sister, tell me true!^^ 
She answered in her feeble way, 
"Sister, attend to what I say : 



202 (Poems for the Tini.es. 

He had a temper ill at ease— 
And always done whatever lie pleased : 
"Whene'er he felt these spells of ire, 
Was like a quick and raging fire. 
To study up some dreadful crime 
For he, in a moment's time, 
Would fix the guilt upon my hands; 
Then I 'd receive his reprimand/' 
Said I, " My friend, why did you stay 
To be ill-treated in this way ?" 
She answered with a low, low sob, 
" I was afraid to displease God. 
I had been taught the awful sin 
Of leaving husband, this near kin ; 
And felt that if I suffered Aere, 
And lived in sorrow in this sphere. 
If patiently my lot I bore, 
When I stood on the other shore. 
Bright diadems within my crown 
Would show the trials I had borne." 
" And now, how dare you thus unfold 
This story you have given so bold. 
And leave your home in such disgrace, 
And seek aid in another place?" 
" I 've heard the wrongs of womankind 
Talked over, and I 've changed my mind ; 
And I 've resolved that I would stand 
No more such treatment from a man!" 
Her slender form she tried to raise. 
Her hand uplifted now in praise. 
To God, her Maker, she would pray 
That she might never fling away 



The (Doomed Murderer. 203 

Those rights, now dearer than her life — 

Those that belong to any wife. 

She seemed inspired as thus she spoke : 

She felt how free from bandage broke : 

No more a criminal dyed in sin, 

Herself a woman's soul within. 

Encouragement I gave my friend ; 

Assistance did I to her lend : 

Kind words — and these she needed, true — 

And now to you the same I 'd do. 

Or any sister in distress. 

That came to me, or thus addressed. 

Could I refrain from such kind deeds 

To any sister thus in need ? 

Then view my acts in Wisdom's light, 

And you will see my acts were right. 



"^ [^Y sentence passed — I now am doomed ! 
I now must occupy my room 
So narrow, cold, and gloomy there : 

No mortal can with me compare. 

And must I die the felon's death ? 

O must I give my precious breath ? 

O must this form of mine lie low ? 

This spirit — O where must it go? 

To heaven ? Ah, no ! there is no room 

For one so wretclued — one thus doomed ! 



204 (^oems for the Times. 



Just four and twenty hours to live ! 

O that they longer time would give ! 

O that my days would be prolonged ! 

O how my brain with thought is thronged ! 

Life ! life ! so sweet to mortals here : 

Death, thou great monster, O how near I 

My life for his ? it must be so ! 

Out in the future must I go : 

Out in the great eternity — 

For crime— to pay the penalty. • 

Here comes my counselor — my friend ; 

He '11 stand by me unto the end. 

My soul! O God ! and must it go 

To that dark place of crime and woe, 

To dwell with Satan and his imps? 

Now on my brow I see the print 

Of Cain — that killed his brother man ! 

And when I cross the dark, dark strand, 

There must I meet the murdered one, 

And he will show me what I 've done. 

O can I stand beside him there. 

And hear the words he will declare ? 

O teach me Father ! give me light. 

And lead me through this dreadful night; 

For when the morn will come to me. 

They '11 set me from the mortal free. 

pray for me ! I can not rest ! 

1 feel this throbbing in my breast. 
No hope for me ! O God ! I die ! 

tell me, will not some one try 
To save me yet a little while ? 

1 know I 'm miserable, low, vile, 



Laugh. 205 

Yet life is sweet, so sweet to me : 

But I am doomed to death, you see. 

Just one hour more ! my brain now reels ! 

I scarcely now my pulse can feel : 

One hour ! to stay upon this shore ! 

O God ! I \"e only one hour more. 

there he comes ! 'T is time, 't is time I 

1 hear the tolling and the chime. 
What shall I say to friends behind? 

can I think ? — My mind ! my mind ! 

1 'm wandering ! Help, O help me through ! 
O may this never come to you. 

O father, mother, sister, wife 1 

brother — all I have in life ! 

1 hn going ! Doomed to die — to die I 
Ere long this form will lifeless lie. 

I love you all if I am bad. 

now I ^m going mad ! yes, mad. 
The bell is tolling ; here I go, 

To meet my doom. Pity my woe ! 
The rope around my neck is tied ! 

1 feel a shiver in my side. 

One, two, three : they have struck the blows — 
Away, away, my soul now goes I 



[F sorrow encompass you ^round, 
\ And vexations, like bees, swarm around, 
May something in life e'er be found 
To cause you to laugh. 



206 (poems for the Times. 

Laugh hearty we say, 
^T will drive care away, 

And make your sad heart feel happy and gay ; 
Laugh, — laugh, — laugh ! 

If friends prove false or prove true, 
What matter can that be to you ? 
Do n't worry and try to be " blue^" 

But try a good laugh : 
Like a sensible man. 
Do all that you can : 
If you try it but once, you will want to again : 

Laugh, — laugh, — laugh ! 

If you meet with reverses through life. 
Perhaps they may cut like a knife; 
Still, try to be happy and blithe : 

Get up a good laugh. 
As any one should. 
In any sad mood, — 
For in it you '11 get what will do you great good : 

Laugh, — laugh, — laugh ! 

If your life you would wish to prolong, 
You must laugh and enjoy a good song ; 
But never seek places of wrong : 

Take an innocent laugh, 
And ever be social. 
And always be jovial. 
You will sure find a benefit in the emotion : 

Laugh, — laugh, — laugh ! 



Where is God. 207 



THOU Supreme ! thou great, thou good ! 

Thou great First Cause, least understood ! 

In every atom of our sphere, 
And worlds on worlds as they appear 
In thy great universe of space, 
Thy mighty power we here can trace I 
In every leaf and grassy blade- - 
In every light and every shade — 
We see thine impress every hour. 
In every opening bud and flower. 
As in the sunshine and the storm. 
And every thing in human form — 
In planets, sun, and stars — we see 
Thy great and matchless majesty ! 
E^en from the pebble to the rock ; 
From ocean's foam to forest nook — 
In every form of life — we see 
The impress of divinity. 
And man, the noblest w^ork of all — 
A part and parcel of the whole — 
The highest type of God we scan, 
Inherent in the heart of man : 
A little lower, as is given, 
Than are the angels now in heaven. 
All have their place, as it appears ; 
All act their part in this our sphere : 
All, in their place, act well their part. 
As was intended at the start. 



208 (Poems for the Times, 

Here is the evil, there the good — 

All right, if rightly understood — 

To bring about an all-wise plan 

For the development of man ; 

For if no evil here there be, 

We ^d never know of good, you see. 

So every thing is rightly formed, 

E^en from an angel to a worm; 

Each have their place, as here appears, 

In this great universe of spheres. 

When thou thy blessings doth bestow 

Upon thy children here below. 

We read thy love in every line; 

It is an attribute of thine. 

We look to thee, our Father — God — 

Although we're smitten by the rod ; 

Yet, in thy wisdom, thou dost know 

Whatever is best for us below. 

In every step we take we see 

Our loving Father — Deity. 

And mother IM'ature, too, we view : 

To us she ever will prove true. 

Our Father, God, may we see here 

The positive in this our sphere ; 

And mother Nature, too, is seen — 

The nega'cive is what we mean. 

These two great powers we see combined — 

Brought forth in every human mind. 

And when developed to a degree. 

Then we behold divinity. 

In answer to the question here. 

Of " Where is God?'' we think ' tis clear ; 



Our JNation, 209 

If clearly we be understood, 

That good is God, and God is good. 



^||E look abroad, on every side 
|Wf Proud despots rule, we see : 
^ We view the pompous show and pride 
Of aristocracy. 
But, as our vision turns, we see 
Out glorious land of liberty. 

The peasant feels the tyrant's sway. 

In lands far o'er the sea ; 
They 're coming, coming every day. 

To seek for liberty : 
They sing this song, " O let us see 
That glorious land of liberty !" 

Oar Pilgrim Fathers sang this song 

Long ere they passed away. 
And, with endurance firm and strong. 

The "Mayflower" sailed that day : 
They said, " O let us go and see 
That glorious land of liberty 1" 

Then came that fierce and bloody time 
Our nation must pass through : 

They then stood up in manhood's prime — 
Our fathers, firm and true — 

And shouted loud, '^Our land is free! 

Our glorious land of liberty!" 



210 ^oems for the Times. 

They opened, then, our gates so wide 

That nations all might see 
That, o'er the water's foaming tide, 

America was free ; 
And other sons soon longed to see 
Our glorious land of liberty. 

Then came the sons of Erin's Isle 

Across the briny wave : 
That Fortune's turn might on them smile 

The ocean's storms they brave ; 
They hear the song, and strive to see 
That glorious land of liberty. 

Within our borders soon we find — 

(A pity it should be) — 
Despotic power so strong, that binds 

The cords of slavery : 
A slave within this land we see — 
This glorious land of liberty ! 

Then came a dark and fearful hour — 

Asunder fly the chains ! 
We now stand up in might and power, 

No slave does there remain : 
Within our land no chains we see — 
Our glorious land of liberty! 

Our course of progress is marked out 

As in the past, we see; 
We hope in future we may shout, 

" Our land is truly free !" 
And every land or nation see 
Our glorious land of liberty ! 



Our JVcition. 211 

John Chinaman is coming now, 

As day by day we see ; 
Though he may to Confucius bow, 

He longs for liberty: 
Then let him come, that he may see 
Our glorious land of liberty. 

We have within our land so free. 

Still many, many wrongs, 
That take man^s life and liberty, 

And binds him firm and strong : 
O let them from our country flee — 
Our glorious land of liberty ! 

King Alcohol is ruling here; 

He sways us all around : 
His tyrant rule holds so severe — 

His cords are firmly bound; 
O from his grasp. Lord, set us free ! 
Oht glorious land of liberty. 

Another still we see and feel — 

Another wrong we see : 
O give a balm these wounds to heal ; 

And set all captives free; 
And when we look we ^11 truly see 
A glorious land of liberty. 

Our nation here has daughters, too, 

That stood for freedom bold. 
That love their country, and prove true, 

Now, as in days of old : 
O give them what will make them free 
In this, our land of liberty! 



212 (Poetin^s for the Times, 

make them equal to the task 

Beside their brother man : 
This favor, now, is what we ask, 

Deny us, if you can : 
This happy land, so good and free — 
This gloMous land of liberty. 

Then can we stand up firm and strong, 

And battle for the right ; 
And help our brother right the wrong. 

And work in truth and might : 
Then Avill the woman truly see 
Our glorious land of liberty. 

She '11 fight King Alcohol with zeal — 
She ^11 help to throw him down : 

Ere long he ^11 find his doom is sealed, 
And he in fetters bound ; 

She '11 work for temperance then, you see, 

In this our land of liberty. 

Across the waters do we see 

The best of sovereigns are : 
Victoria sits in majesty. 

And governs, too, with care : 
Then give us all equality. 
In this our land of liberty. 

Then will our nation truly be 
In word, and deed, and name, 

A land of glorious liberty : 
We '11 have no tyrant's chain ; 

Then truly will our land be free, 

And be a land of liberty. 



The Widow. ' 213 



^jEE her sit gloomily, sadly — ah, mournfully 
^ The sable can never reveal 

-vl^ The heart that is sinking — the burden lies heavily ! 
No mortal her heart-aches can feel. 

Her hopes were so bright in the future unfolding, 
Ere death, with his dark, ruthless hand. 

Seized hold of that dear one — his form is now holding 
He obeyed the great Father's command. 

She sees those dear children — the love of her heart, — 

And as she looks out in the future — 
O must I, she says, from these dear children part ? 

O, show me the pathway of duty ! 

Why is it that I must be left in this sorrow — 

Why left here to weep and to mourn ! 
So happy to-day — so sad on the morrow — 

My future all blasted and torn. 

But here am I placed — no means of obtaining 

The needs and the comforts of life : 
The cold hand of Charity looks with disdaining 

Upon me, while facing the strife. 

No mortal to care for me now but my darlings- 
No heart to my sorrow unfold : 

The world looks a frown — all seems to be snarling : 
All, all seems so dark and so cold ! 



214 ^1^0 ems for the Times. 

These children ! God help them ! dear innocent treasures, 

I love you as none other can : 
To provide for your wants would be a great pleasure, 

If the means I could have at command. 

But no way can I see the means of obtaining 

Food, clothing, or comforts of life : 
O can we, O may we, together remaining. 

Go on to the end of the strife ! 

O God ! must we part ?-^rthese dear ones forever 

Be scattered all over the land ? 
Must the keen, iron hand of poverty sever 

These children to fill strangers' hands ? 

O, Father in heaven! O pity my sorrow! 

O lend me a kind, helping hand ! 
Show this widow afflicted some hope for the morrow : 

Hope for this my dear little band. 

Look up, my dear child — ^the Father now speaketh : 

My promise, the widow now hath : 
The help for the future shall come, as thou needest, 

If thou wilt but walk the right path. 

The widow, the orphan, are those that he careth 

To lead through the valley so dark. 
Through life, to thyself, those dear ones he spareth : 

Look up, and look well to the mark. 

Eemember, that those that have gone in this life, 

And others that live to do good — 
That stand up so firmly for truth and the right — 

Shall never lack shelter nor food. 



Grayer for the (Drunkard^s Family. 215 

Take courage, dear mother : go on^ though you meet 

Vexations and crosses while here : 
No snare shall be drawn, to entangle thy feet ; 

Thy way will be made bright and clear. 



[m'itx tm tie irmitoi'^ |wi!|l mi i\%t %m 

Mlltx. 

Rather, we lift our voice to thee, 
^ The sufferers^ cause to plead, 
"'"'That on thy holy earth we see 

Are miserable indeed. 
O show that thou wilt lend an ear 

To my petition, given 
For those that live from year to year 

With chains upon them riven. 

The drunkard^s wife, and children, too, 

Are crushed by this great sin ; 
And many paupers left to view. 

From time to time, hath been. 
O God ! look on thy children dear ! 

Give them to see in thee 
A Mend to them that 's ever near, 

And all their sorrows see. 

Father, in pity look upon 

That form that thou hast made — 

That looks so shattered, wan, and worn. 
And doth that soul degrade. 



216 (Poems for the Times. 

Give power of mind and force of will^ 

That lie may upward rise ; 
And, Lord, stand by this victim still, 

And help him to be wise. 

O Lord ! that father in our land 

Whose son hath gone astray ; 
That joins the bacchanalian band — 

O help him, Lord, we pray! 
Help him to rise, in power and might. 

To cast from out our midst — 
And banish alcohol from sight : 

O help him to enlist ! 

O Lord, we ask thee for the sake 

Of those within our land — 
The young that have their name to make, 

O may they boldly stand ! 
O keep them from temptation's way ! 

O may they plainly see. 
That if they follow sin's dark way 

^T will lead to misery. 

And, Lord, we ask thee for the one 

That stands behind the screen. 
And deals to earth's benighted sons 

What makes them low and mean. 
O touch that heart ! show him his fate ! 

If he does not retract. 
He '11 find, alas ! it is too late 

For him to wisely act. 

Show him the tears of widows made — 
Of orphans left behind : 



^Prayer for the (Drimkardfs Family. 217 

Of murders, suicides, all paid 

By him, lie '11 surely find. 
And, worst of all, show him the crime 

That 's counted at his hand, 
By dealing out, from time to time, 

What kills his brother man. 

Father, we ask thee now to hear, 

If by no other way. 
This dreadful scourge we so much fear 

Can yet be cast away, 
O let thy thunders then be heard. 

From out the cannon's mouth — 
Thy voice, thy great and mighty word, 

Speaking from north to south. 

O may the cries, the groans, the tears 

Of those that suffer here, c 

All in thine eyes seem ever dear : 

O unto them appear ! 
Deliverance bring to those disgraced ! 

Let thy great power be seen ! , 
We plead for this, the human race ; 

Thy children, all, we mean. 

O God, we leave within thy hands 

This great, this aAvful sin; 
We know ere long thou wilt command — 

All must to thee give in. 
Speak soon, O Lord, ere thousands more 

Go down to drunkards' graves ! 
Speak as thou hast in times before, 

When thou didst try to save. 

10 



218 (Poems for the Times. 

O let the rum-seller beware ! 

Let him not farther go, 
Or he may build himself a snare 

Of sorrow^ grief^ and woe. 
Some dreadful thing will come upon 

His own condition here^ 
That will destroy his mortal form, 

And make him quake with fear. 

And now we leave this all with thee ; 

Do as thou thinkest best : 
In all thou dost great good we see, 

To make thy children blest. 
Take all, we ask, and please accept 

This our petition given ; 
And may in future all be blest — 
^ All reach the goal of heaven. 



i00Wil iiii0«ti«. 



1 1 feel, 



placed within these narrow walls, 
though innocent, I 'm called 
^' A guilty man ; such law makes me, 
Although I ^n innocent. They '11 see 
I did not take my brother's life — 
I could not see that awful sight. 
No ! God in heaven knows all I Ve done 
To this, to every other one. 
He knows that I am innocent — 
Although I bear my punishment. 



(Doofi'ied Innocence. 219 

We met^ ^tls true, within tliat place; 
My steps they there have clearly traced. 
He there was found, all dyed in gore : 
They saw me there an hour before. 
Yes, all looks so, the case is clear; 
My sentence is unjust — severe. 
They did not see that villain come 
From out the* thicket, with a run: 
With blows severe they struck him down, 
And tried to cast me on the ground. 
O that one person could have seen 
The truth that I have given to them ; 
But circumstances now control 
My life — -the exit of my soul. 
But dying, I die innocent, 
Of truth they now are ignorant. 
O will that villain let me be 
A murdered man — the guilty free ? — 
He will acknowledge, all in time. 
How he committed this great crime. 

that they would imprison me ! 

1 might have justice done, you see. 
But no. I go forth from all I love 
To meet my father, God, above. 

I fear not that — I^m innocent 
Of this great crime upon me sent. 
The night is passing. Let me pray, 
That justice come to me some way. 
Too late ^t will be my life to save : 
I soon shall sleep within the grave. 
My spirit goes to heaven, my home, 
My family left here to mourn. 



220 (^oems for the Times. 

The narrow grave will hold this form : 

My wife and children left forlorn, 

To battle here through all the strife 

Of this uncharitable life. 

They take my life. They ne'er can give 

The part they 've taken. I ne'er can live, 

No matter if they find the right — 

No matter how much comes to light. 

O, God ! they come ! Here comes that friend 

That would assistance to me lend. 

The Governor did sue for me, 

And tried his best to get me free. 

I thank him for his kindness given — ^ 

I hope to meet him up in heaven. 

But I must answer for that crime. 

And soon, ah, soon must come the time 

I 'm innocent of that great charge — 

The guilty one now goes at large. 

They come to take me to the place ! 

To execute me in disgrace ! 

I reel ! My brain ! my brain ! how bad — 

I fear that I am going mad. 

O, life, sweet life, how dear to me ! 

But I am doomed to death, you see. 

O tell the wife I love so well. 

Her husband innocently fell. 

My hands are tied ! It makes me quake ! 

how my brain begins to shake! 
Confess ! they cry. O, God, I say, 

1 can 't confess a lie this day, 
When, in a moment, I shall be 
Launched into the eternity. 



The SouL 221 

I 'm innocent ! I 'm innocent ! 

Of this great judgment on me sent. 

O, Father^ take my soul to thee ! 

Is all my hope — is all my plea. 

I go with this upon my lips : 

You'll find that you have judged amiss. 

They draw the cap — they strike the blow — 

And, mnocenty away I go. 



Ito ^ml 



fV CXN I here, Avith power, unfold 
\ The beauty of the human soul ? 
^ Can I that truth and light impart 
That dwells within the human heart ? 
Thy power, and wisdom, O so grand! 
That speaks and lives at God's command. 
Gives forth that strength, its works are seen, 
Where this immortal form has been. 
The solil — a spark of love divine — 
The thought so grand, and so sublime. 
That God, the Father of the whole. 
Can dwell within the human soul ! 
The life, the power, the all of man. 
Within his being here we scan. 
Can live beyond the shores of time, 
Reach out, exist in other climes — 
God breathes on Man, he then becomes 
Himself, the Father, both are one — 
Gives power o'er all the land we see. 
And lives through all eternity. 



222 (Poems for the Times. 

Beyond, around, beneath, above, 
We see lifers principle of love, 
All that our vision can behold. 
The life, the being, is the soul : 
This great, true principle of love 
Comes from the Father, from above. 
Within the being we call Man 
Still greater powers we here can scan — 
Still more, more wisdom we may see. 
Which makes man vie with Deity. 
This great, immortal part, this god 
Which we behold upon this sod. 
That takes creation as a whole. 
And all the planets as they roll ; 
That studies well, with eye to scan, 
Even the great Creator's plan : 
That reaches out, as we can see. 
And fathoms all eternity ; — 
Digs deep, and seeks to understand 
The great Creator's works to scan — 
Into the bowels of the earth. 
There, fetching out to light, true worth : 
Unfolding, every day and hour, 
New objects of God's mighty power. 
That soars away, in realms of thought — 
Teaches, yet willing to be taught 
The elements at his command ; 
Holds all the forces in his hand : 
Confines with ease, whate'er he mils, 
NcAv objects now our visions fill. 
Progress before his way is seen, 
From first to last — has always been ; 



Tlie Soul. 223 

In moral^ mental^ physical^ 
We see advance^ most mystical 
This life, this power, this Deity 
Within this form — humanity. 
And can we, as we see how grand, 
The great machinery given to man. 
Moves on through all the different spheres, 
And does the work with ease, so clear ; 
Can we behold each part and piece 
That 's given to act so well with ease — 
The wants of each, so grandly met. 
And all so finely work when set ? 
Can we look back, and see the cause — 
See all the w^orks of Nature's laws. 
That holds the forces, guides the hand. 
That helps unfold the soul of man? 
O, Father ! great must be thy love 
That guides all movements from above, 
And acts through all to all for good. 
We find, as better understood. 
We see new beauties every hour. 
The more we study thy great power. 
Within our own interior. 
We there behold superior : 
That is, this great Omnipotence 
Within that guides through ignorance. 
This God, this mighty power divine. 
Through all humanity will shine: 
Unfold and rise, in future be 
The counterpart of Deity. 
Within this mortal form is given, 
The power to seek for hell or heaven. 



224 (Poen^is for the Times. 

This form that now this jewel holds, 

This gem, more precious far than gold, 

Gives individuality 

To all forms of humanity. 

When once we find this God in form, 

Whene'er the life-fire burns so warm — 

When we behold that living spark, 

Of that great, mighty God, a part 

Within the form of man we see, 

Th%8 brings to him identity. 

He lives to all eternity 

And individuality. 

To bless the great Father of all. 

That gives us blessings, great and small ; 

That scatters over all our land 

Whatever man's nature doth command; 

And leads him forth by his great power — 

Unfolds new motives every hour. 

To lead him into higher life. 

And help him, through all earthly strife. 

That he may higher, higher rise. 

And make him happy, good, and wise. 

And here enjoy that blessing true. 

That he may all his goodness view. 

This work, we ask, why was it made — 

Why were the plans of God thus laid ? 

Why was this being given to earth. 

And we not know its real worth ? 

Why was man made upon this sphere. 

To pass through all that 's mortal here ? 

We answer : God, we see around. 

In every form of life is found — 



The Soul. 225 

All, all of life that we may see. 

Emanates from Deity. 

But all below the human race, 

All lower forms, all have a place. 

Yet have we seen no climax reached, 

Of power of mind, with bird or beast : 

Or flower, or plant upon this land. 

Or rock, or mineral we scan ; 

All lower forms of life now stand 

To help unfold this soul of man. 

What good or evil could we see, 

If our great Father, Deity, 

Should not unfold his mighty power, 

Through forms here given us every hour? 

What could be known of wisdom good, 

How be unfolded, understood. 

If the great point of life and light 

Had kept his beauty from our sight? 

This was not so. Our Father, God, 

Came here to dwell upon our sod. 

To dwell in mortal things below. 

That mighty wisdom he might show, 

And gave these loioer forms of life 

That man might through them rise in might. 

He gave the good ; the bad we see 

Are good, but shown imperfectly. 

The great surroundings here to man 

Makes what we here will truly scan : 

Unfold this nature God has given. 

And help to make his hell or heaven. 

The gem implanted there within 

Will sometimes help to draw^ them in, 



226 ^cems for the Times. 

Unless conditions can be found 
To guard against these forms around : 
That leads the beings given to sin^ 
Into the right and unto him. 
Our Father left this work of love 
To us, his children, from above, 
That we -might help our brother here 
To rise to higher, better spheres ; 
And by assisting brother man, 
We're acting out our Father's plan. 
Unfolding this, the powers here given. 
Thus working on our way toward heaven- 
Then we, the soul, the immortal part, 
Draw from our Fathers loving heart 
Rich blessings here, from hour to hour, 
As w^e impart he gives us power; 
By giving more we will receive. 
As we our suffering ones relieve. 
Can Ave behold this work so great — 
Given here on earth, this mundane state ? 
Can we one moment thus behold 
The power of this great part — the soul? 
Can -we look out and see the work — 
The task our Father undertook : 
And then behold conditions vile. 
That now surround us all the while; 
And see this casket of the soul 
Suffering conditions here untold? 
We view these scenes from day to day^ 
And yet we pass along our way; 
Conditions that no pen can tell. 
That leads the immortal soul to hell : 



The Soul. 2Ti 

That plants the seeds so firm within, 

And leads our brother into sin ; 

And view him, crushed beneath our feet, 

With scarce the means to find retreat. 

This great immortal, so acute. 

Lying and living as a brute : 

O can we render our account 

And pay what is the true amount, 

When we are settling up the whole — 

The worth of one poor fallen soul? 

The colunni would be numberless — 

The loss of all our happiness : 

No power nor language can express 

The loss here of our blessedness. 

Just think — God, given in form of man. 

With power to work our Father's plan : 

Take all the blessings he has given, 

To lead us on to joy and heaven. 

And use them as a curse while here, 

To sink us lower in this sphere — 

Can Ave then render unto God 

Of this, our labor on his sod. 

If we ne'er try to good unfold 

Within our great immortal soul? 

O let us strive with all our might 

To act the part we know is right — 

To work for good to all we see: 

Then will we ever willing be 

To render our our account to Him, 

And have a peaceful heart within. 

The soul will purer, higher rise 

Into a perfect paradise: 



■228 <roems for the Times, 

If we tliis body will keep pure, 
Tlie soul indwelling will be sure 
To rise to higher beauties seen, 
Nor stoop to work that ^s low or mean 
But if the casket be defiled 
With habits, it will soon be soiled: 
If those narcotics taken in 
The stomach (as has often been), 
Such as tobacco — alcohol — 
If e'en in quantities so small, 
It soon the casket will defile, 
And make the soul to you seem vile. 
O let us all turn, turn away. 
From every thing in life that may 
Unfit this form, and make it weak, 
And turn to better w^ays that seek 
To elevate our life while here — 
Then, purely, will our soul shine clear 
AYhile here remaining on this side; 
And when we cross the darkened tide 
And pass into the other land, 
So noble, true, sublime, and grand. 
Our work upon this lower sphere 
Will show to every mortal here 
That we have prized the human soul. 
And valued it far more than gold. 
Our Father then will welcome us 
To that bright land so glorious. 
And when we render up our share. 
What is intrusted to our care — 
Those talents which this form cortains- 
We ne'er will feel to look with shame. 



The Sold, 229 

These welcome words we then shall hear ; 
In silvery tones they '11 greet our ear : 
'^ Welcome, thou good and faithful one, . 
Thy work we see has been well done. 
Enter thou into perfect rest: 
For know, thy work hath made thee blest; 
And good thou hast accomplished now, 
Which places on thy noble brow 
A crown — a royal diadem — 
To show thy deeds to sons of men." 
Then we can feel that joy of heart 
Coming from out the human heart; 
But God, our Father, will approve 
Our work, with his undying love. 
Which will a satisfaction give 
That we have tried in life to live 
And o'er our passions hold control, 
That must keep down the immortal soul. 
O glorious thought ! we 're passing on : 
On earth our forms will soon be gone; 
But we, the soul, can never die. 
Although the casket low may lie : 
We 're living, passing, dwelling there, 
Beyond the mortal world of care : 
Living to all eternity, 
An individuality, 
Till ages onward, onward roll, 
Still we remain a living Soul. 



230 ^Poems for the Times. 



gvfforfllfl0IL 

ijlFTEN have I chanced to meet 
^^\ Affectation on the street; 
'^ Both in man and woman too^ 
Hath this pretense oft been viewed : 
'T is disgusting to behold 
In man or woman — young or old — 
This fldse^ pretending way to speak, 
Or walk, or act upon the street. 
Just view a lady, as she stands 
Conversing in that manner grand — 
Grand, would w^e say? — So it is called — 
No grandeur is there seen at alL 
She talks so blandly, such a tone, 
You ^d ready be this thing to own 
As a disgusting, silly thing ; 
And one from plebean birth did spring. 
Now see her turn and twist away ; 
Methinks I hear you quickly say, 
^' She never could have common sense. 
Or she would ne'er make such pretense.'' 
She meets a coxcomb — stops to talk ; 
Perhaps he turns and on they walk. 
"With cane in hand, drawn underneath 
His elbow, as you often see. 
He walks along, in gait you call 
Walking ; you 'd think that he might fall. 
She 's by his side, as I have said. 
Showing Avhat 's stored within her head : 



Affectation. 231 

Not brains — I can assure you here, 

But something similar does appear : 

Conversation now they take, 

Agreeable each tries to make 

The other one that walks along : 

Thus chatting, do they still pass on. 

She speaks. You scarce can understand 

The language she does thus command. 

They go their way — as is the rule — 

No doubt you think these two are fools; 

And truly, too, have you expressed 

The opinion fixed in many a breast. 

No one of sense could ever think 

To name them different or distinct: 

Go for a visit — an hour to spend 

With that class called the Upper Ten : 

Go sit awhile — hear them converse — 

Listen awhile, and mark the tone — 

Each one peculiar to her own. 

You pass the time, then go your way. 

What have you learned from them that day? 

Have you grown wiser, better, true. 

And in the future better do ? 

Refreshed with knowledge more refined — 

More elevated in thought and mind? 

Deal more like Christ with one another? 

Feel kindlier, friendlier, to each other? 

Or do you feel within your heart 

That they have played a little part 

In this, affecting what they could. 

And thought that you least understood? 

O, Affectation ! 't is so low ! 



232 (Pomns for ilie Times. 

O never^ never more bestow 
Thy power upon me, while I live; 
But may I ever truthful give 
To all just what I am, while here, 
And ever be what I appear ; 
Improve my mind — unfold these powers- 
Show what I am, each day and hour. 



tPRING, glorious Spring, divinely sweet. 
Is coming now with balmy air; 
"^^With joy we now go forth to meet, 
This queen of beauty, passing fair. 

The gentle showers are falling fast 
Upon the earth's cold, frozen bed. 

Till o'er this bed so white is cast 

A dark brown mantle, cold and dead. 

Nought can be seen to cheer our eye. 
Or make the heart feel light and gay; 

But soon — ah soon — while e'en we sigh, 
A sight before our visions play. 

We note the elements within; 

Beneath this outward covering 
There, gems of life we see begin : 

The sun around is hovering". 



The Seasons. 233 

Xow beauty lends its pleasing charms — 
From out this crust new forms arise; 

See tiny plants throw up their arms, 
With joy to greet our wandering eyes. 

Then balmy days — the joyous sun 

Brings forth to light, from depths below, 

Rich buds, unfolding one by one — 
Indeed, all Nature seems aglow. 

O beautiful Spring, that comes to us. 

We welcome thy sweet, sunny face : 
As down thy fingers deeply thrust. 

Thy works of love we mortals trace. 

In thee we behold the infant form. 

As the germs of life unfold: 
Preparing thy works to stand the storm 

Of the heat and the piercing cold. 

When thy work is ended, another will take 
What thou hast left here to be done; 

Another bright hand in the future must make 
Thy work to perfection come. 

The Summer time, with its golden hand, 

Does beautifully now unfold 
Thefiowers that are scattered all o'er our land. 

Of purple and yellow gold. 

O the lovely roses and pinks so dear, 

That deck our garden so fair! 
A lovely fragrance so sweet and clear 

Now fills the Summer air. 



234 ^oems for tlie Times. 

Perchance the heat may oppress us much, 

In our lovely Summer time : 
But, if our condition must be such, 

Some shady nook we will find. 

And there can we gaze on the works of God, 

At a glorious sunset eve ; 
And see his works scattered o'er his sod, 

And the fragrance enjoy from beneath. 

And the waving grain, as it bows its head. 
At the voice of the sultry sun, 

In commanding voice doth hear this said : 
Prepare thee to bless earth^s sons. 

All Nature seems praising and blessing God, 
For the beautiful Summer time; 

E'en the beautiful flowers, the uncomely clod. 
Give forth their praises divine. 

But thou must depart to another clime : 
Thy works must be left, we see ; 

Another hand in future time 
Must take thy labors from thee. 

We behold the Autumn approaching near. 
The Summer days will soon pass: 

And brown old Autumn will be taking here 
Thy works He will finish the task. 

The Summer reminds us of youth in life. 

As day by day doth unfold. 
Preparing for manhood's battle and strife. 

Which will bring on theAo;e of Gold. 



The Seasons, 235 

The golden harvest of Autumn is liere^ 

Which gives to mucli true worth — 
The products of all the first of the year, 

The fruits of this beautiful earth. 

Bright, golden Autumn, thy sun and showers 

All over our earth is seen. 
The richest and happiest days and hours 

Are those of thy beautiful sheen. 

O the Autumn days, with their golden fruit 
Brought forth from those beautiful flowers 

Of the Spring and the Summer's timely shoot. 
Enhance this world of ours. 

How w^e love to sit in the leafy shade 

Of the seared old apple-tree. 
And eat of the fruit which our fathers made 

For mortals like you and me. 

It reminds us of glorious manhood's prime 

As the climax in life is reached; 
From Spring and Summer to Autumn time. 

These beautiful seasons each. 

He stands up so firmly while treading the earth : 

Unfolded he now becomes 
In all the phases of former worth — 

In him we behold the sun. 

But soon hoary locks will cover his head — 

We see that cold Winter is near ; 
We soon must lie down in his narrow bed 

With this cold, gloomy season of year. 



236 (^oems for the Times. 

We see him approaching; he nips the green leaves: 

They change to a yellowish red : 
Erelong they have faded — the brightness of these 

Hath entirely vanished. They are dead. 

Now we know that cold Winter is here — he is king; 

He rules with a scepter in might : 
His voice in command, through the casement rings, 

And oft through the tree-tops he sighs. 

Now the mantle is spread, of snowy white ; 

All Nature goes quiet to rest : 
The eyes now behold a most beautiful sight, 

As we gaze on the glittering crest. 

Now the bellows are blown, and fierce is the blast. 
From the north the flakes come down, 

And are hurled with a sweep, so thickly and fast, 
That we shrink from Winter's cold frown. 

With this season the year to an end is brought. 

And soon will lie silent and dead ; 
While through Nature we see a change is wrought, 

Down deep, 'neath that snowy bed. 

The seasons a lesson to us unfold. 

Of w^orth and of goodness true : 
Spring, Summer, and Autumn, dread Winter cold, 

Are emblems of life to view. 

The joyous Spring is our infant days ; 

Summer shows youth so free; 
Autumn shows youth to manhood raised, 

And Winter, old age, you see. 



Christian Love. 237 

Let as learn from tlie seasons, as they come, 

To work in our early prime : 
From wintry age we ne'er can run, 

'T will overtake us in its time. 



fc ARSON Snobs is sitting, reading 
From a volume old with age ; 
■^ Silently he sits there feasting. 

As he turns from page to page. 

Mrs. Snobs, that quiet lady, 

Sat within her parlor neat. 
Musing o'er the late-read story. 

Tapping gently with her feet. 

Presently a step approaches — 

Soon the tinkle of the bell 
Calls the parson from his reading : 

Mrs. Snobs, too, hears the knell. 

And the house-maid now approaches — 
Gently opens she the door ; 

There a little form is crouching 
On the outward marble floor. 

"Is the parson here?" she stammered- 
" Ma would like to have him come : 
Pa is sick, and ma is crying : 
Can 't the parson help him some ?'' 



238 (Poems for the Times, 

" Come with me/^ the maid said to her ; 
" Parson Snobs sits in the room ; 
I will ask him if he 's willing ; 
If so^ he '11 go with you home/' 

Parson puts -away his reading — 

Puts his spectacles away : 
Listens to the simple story : 

Says, " I '11 go with you to-day." 

Soon they step upon the pavement, 
And the wind is whistling strong ; 

Cold and bleak, as late in Autumn, 
Piercing through that little form. 

Down went they through street and alley- 
Up, up several flights of stairs : 

At a door they tapped to enter — 
There was want and anguish there. 

In that room, so sad and lonely, 
Sat a woman bowed Avith grief: 

On a pallet there was lying 
One who longed to get relief. 

^' Little Kittie, come to papa ! 

Did the parson come, my dear?" 
" Yes," she stammered, in a whisper : 

" He is standing by you here." 

" I 'm so glad ; for I am dying — 
Soon I must be passing on : 

Mother, cease, O cease your sighing ! 
You '11 be better when I 'm "^one. 



Christian Love, 239 

'^ Parson, we are poor and needy : 

Scarce a bit of bread liave we : 
Can you help us ? O do something , 

In the name of Charily ! 

'^ Soon the cold, cold grave will hold me ; 

Soon my spirit will have gone : 
Help in this, our sad condition, 

When my spirit shall have flown.'^ 

Parson Snobs said to the sufferer, 

" Is your peace now made with God ? 

You must ponder on the future. 
Ere your form lies ^neath the sod." 

a J ^j^ p^Q^ fearing for the future — 

That is not of what I care; 
But my wife and little daughter 

In this world of grief must share." 

" Look to God — our Heavenly Father — 

Put yoiur trust alone in him : 
Have a faith in all his goodness — 

Have a confidence within. 

" Shall I stop and pray a moment, 
That those clouds may pass away — • 

That the bright and glorious sunshine 
Turn the darkness into day?" 

Thus he kneeled within that dwelling : 
Prayed that God, the wise, the good. 

While his blesssings was dispensing. 
Would, ere long, help them to food. 



240 ^oeins for the Times. 

Long he prayed for this poor creature. 

That resigned he might be — 
That, in future, might be happy 

In the great eternity. 

He arose, and left the dwelling — 
Sought his home, in truth, as one 

Who had done his every duty 
To the suffering and the lone. 

Takes his volume of the ages — 
Pores them over, now, with ease : 

Drinks in knowledge from its pages ; 
Feels his conscience quite at peace. 

This is Christian love, as given 
In the churches o'er our land : 

Prayer of lips not much availeth 
Without pocket or the hand. 



^^ILENTLY stitching the whole livelong day— 
^ W^orking and wasting her heart's blood away ; 
^ Toiling and sighing from morning till night — 
Earning in sorrow a very small mite. 

Her heart is sad. 

Her brain goes mad, 

As day, by day, 

Hours pass away ; 



The Sca::istress. ^4l\ 

She still is weary, 
Life is all dreaiy, 
Slie never knows happiness, pleasure, or play. 

Quietly stitching, from morning till night. 
This garment most finished, another is quite ; 
Still is she toiling for life's daily bread. 
And midnight is past e'er she goes to her bed. 

Her eyes growing dim. 

Her thoughts go to Him 

That hath made all things here 

That dwell on this sphere. 

*^Why was it," said she. 

That God has made me 
To live and to toil so, in poverty here ?" 

O do not thus speak of your Father, so dear ! 
Conditions, you know, is what placed you here ; 
A woman you are, you must do what you can ; 
This world where you live is controlled by the man. 

So work ye away. 

From day until day. 

To get what you can 

Of your brother man. 

Thus stitching and sighing, 

Go on and keep dying : 
For this is your mission — go, work out the plan. 

Look out in the future. Behold now the dawn ! 
The light is approaching. Hail gladly the morn ! 
The bars are unbolted ; ere long you will see 
That if you are a woman, you 're born to be free. 
11 



242 (Poems for the Times. 

Hail gladly the day 
When right holds her sway ! 
For soon you Avill see 
That woman is free — 
From society's grasp 
She soon will be past : 
Her voice can she raise and shout ^' Liberty !'' 

The noble, the brave, the tried and the true, 
Are striving and laboring for many like you. 
O join in the ranks, and nobly we '11 fight ! 
Then looman will rise and stand for her rights ! 

Then, when you toil on. 

From night till the morn, 

You '11 then get your j^ai/, 

(When you 've earned it,I say ;) 

A fair recompense 

You '11 have ever hence, 
When woman the ballot shall have. Haste the day ! 



fOING am I, to leave thee here 
Alone ! I feel this word so drear. 
Friends that through life are dear to me 
Must from me separated be. 

I think of scenes in other lands — 
My care be all at strangers' hands ; 
Duties that once devolved on me. 
Transposed to others now I see. 



The Charting, 243 

To-morrow's sun will shine no more 
On this my household evermore; 
Parted must we be for a time, 
How long ^twill be, my thoughts confine. 

Home ! dearest word on earth to speak, 
Surrounded with those ties so sweet ; 
Bright memories cling around the place 
And brings each bright familiar face. 

O, lovely spot ! to me thou 'rt fair. 
Yet oft have I been vexed with care — 
Oft been perplexed with little things. 
But nought that left a lasting sting. 

But now I go to leave them all — 

Home, friends, and children, e'en though small, 

And all connected with my home : 

Far from them all, I now must roam. 

Perchance I may return again. 
But nevermore to long remain ; 
Perhaps I ne'er again shall meet 
This childhood's home, this dear retreat. 

Tears fill my eyes — I 'm very sad ; 
I 've thought of many things I had ; 
All, all must I now leave behind. 
And seek for more in other climes. 

"What will my future prospects be ? 

How all may turn I can not see. 

If trials o'er my pathway come 

No mother's heart will soothe this one. 



244 (Poems for the Times. 

Bat "such is life.^' I with mankind 
Must changes make to suit my mind- 
Must take new cares upon me, too : 
This e^er to all must here accrue. 

Submissive must I be to fate^ 
It matters not how sad my state : 
No lot in life but can be borne_, 
However sad or how forlorn. 

Farewell, old home — I say farewell ! 
For I in foreign lands must dwell; 
And if I die, my parting breath 
Will be of thee, then welcome death. 



ite |ltlll'4ll-f aw. 




lUST she come ? — if she must, let her come ! 

Who is this that you 're bringing here? 
Pray tell me, how came you, my son, 

To make this your choice ? 'T is so queer.^^ 

" Why, father, I bring here my wife : 

In future I hope she will be 
The joy and the pride of my life — 

A blessing, dear father, to thee. 

"Do you not think you '11 like her? I hope, 

In future, you '11 find she is good. 
As her qualities you chance to note. 

And as you are more understood." 



The Father =in^L aw. • 245 

"Well, my son, if she 's good I shall see 

The worth of her innocent mind ; 
If she 's not what she e'er ought to be, 

80 truly bad traits shall I find.'' 

This father prepares for the test : 

Commences in scrutiny clear, 
And mark every movement the best 

He can, has his judgment severe. 

If one more that he thinks not quite right 
Comes under his dark, searching eye, 

He studies, with power and might. 
To crush this frail mortal near by. 

Hard words will he often now use — 

Cold looks from a heart as of stone 
He gives her, and nought but abuse 

Which makes her grow sad and forlorn. 

If rebellious, she rises and stands 

Up firm, for her own simple rights. 
She at once must be cast from his hands, 

And banished to darkness and night. 

Perhaps she may have in her care 

Those little ones gentle and mild : 
The sad lot of a widow she shares — 

Her heart now in frenzy grows wild. 

Her dear husband — the choice of her youth- 
Hath gone to the opposite shore; 

And she oft gets neglect and abuse — 
No kin can she claim evermore. 



246 • (Poems for the Times. 

Cold-hearted he turns from her now; 

Encouragement — none ever comes: 
Now to poverty's trials she bows, 

Still she toils for the dear little ones. 

A father, in deed, he has tried 

(So he says) to be to this lone one; 

Sometimes he may feel little pride 

When she some good deed may have done. 

She goes on in her trials and cares; 

Kind heaven soon sends some relief: 
Another now comes here to share 

With her in her toil and her grief. 

O how changed is the lot of this one! 

From dark clouds to sunshine so bright; 
The day has at last brightly come 

And dispelled all the darkness of night. 

In hope she now lifts her. glad eyes: 
Bright angels now gather around, 

And bid her sad spirit to rise 

And seek where true pleasures are found. 

Her father-in-law now extends 

A pleasant and kind, friendly hand ; 

He tries to take part as 2, friend, 

As this daughter-in-law can now stand. 

A friend in afflidion is dear. 

And if we one truly can find. 
To our hearts will they ever seem near. 

And we always will bear them in mind. 



Story of the South Wind. 247 

'Bvit false friendship soon passes away 
When all is dark gloom thrown around : 

When the rough winds of poverty play, 
'T is then that false friends cast a frown. 

This daughter-in-law can rejoice 

That some, through the dark, gloomy nights, 
Came with an encouraging voice, 

And tried thus to make her load light. 

Thus will she e'er treasure in love 

The memory of kindness when sad ; 
She prays to the Father above 

To make their hearts happy and glad. 

Let me say to all fathers-in-law — 

If daughters-in-law you 'd make good-; 

At first do n't commence to pick flaws. 
But do as a true father should. 



JfeOW, gentle breezes from the far, sunny South, 
Wl -^^^^ softly my lips, with your sweet soothing mouth ! 
'^ Let thy low, quiet breathing pass over this way. 
O'er the large, fragrant fields of ^^ new-mown hay." 

Tell me of that clime that is called so sublime. 
Where the sun to its utmost height doth e'er climb ; 
Where the palm and magnolia give forth rich perfume, 
And the mocking-bird warbles its beautiful tune. 



248 O^oems for the Times. 

" I came, it is true, from that beautiful clime 
"Where the sun in its splendor doth radiantly shine : 
I watch in my movements the waters that play, 
As they ^re dancing along, so happy and gay. 

^^ I have smiled as I passed through the high fields of corn. 
And have shaken those leaves at the day^s early morn ; 
My heart has been joyous, and happy, and free, 
When I pass by the child in its innocent glee. 

^' I will tell you that many sad sights I have seen, 
And it makes me feel sad and mournful, when e'en 
1 must look upon discord, inharmony, strife. 
That I pass, as I 'm greeting you all in this life. 

" In that beautiful clime, the place of my birth, 
I find tumult and horror, which bringeth death forth : 
A brother, I find, is at war with his brother. 
Each plotting in secret to murder the other. 

^' I mean what is called here the great Ku-Klux-Klan : 
They Ve raised their own hand 'gainst their brother man : 
Injustice and crime have often been screened 
By this secret band of ruffians mean. 

" As I 'm passing away from such sights as these, 
I find there are those that vex or displease : 
Those that have authority, use it in haste. 
And much that is good is oft gone to waste. 

" I find great oppression of those that are poor : 
To the man that hath money, they open the door. 
That he may have more, both in gold and in land. 
And over the poor class he may have command. 



Story of the South Wind. 249 

"They barter the land that our great Father gave, 
And scarce leave enough to make each a grave : 
This makes the poor poorer — the richer gain more, 
And grow to be richer than ever before. 

" This makes me feel sad, when humanity here, 
Are seen in oppression, within our bright sphere : 
Injustice I hate — partiality, too. 
And this is the reason I tell this to you. 

" I breathe upon all, both the high and the low : 
Wherever I go, my breath will I blow 
On the rich or the poor, it matters not which ; 
I love a poor being as well as a rich. 

" I find, as I near the far northern clime, 

There are fetters around that society binds : 

Both the women and men do that which doth teach 

To others what's false — make them prove false to each. 

" Inharmonies here, in regard to these homes, 
Where the victims of crime to prison are borne, 
And inhuman treatment causes many to lie 
In those dark, gloomy cells. Through filth many die. 

" Humanity calls on some means of relief 

To those who are doomed to penance and grief: 

They are brothers in life, if they have done dark deeds : 

O treat them as such ! attend to their needs ! 

" Show feeling and pity, and do for them care : 
And O let them have just one breath of God's air ! 
Let me fan that poor brow, and soothe the tired brain, 
For I've kissed such as them again and again. 



250 ^oems for the Times, 

" I love all God's children, wherever they are — 

In places near home, or off very far : 

I pity misfortune, wherever I find 

Its victims in chains of hard iron, that bind." 

Now you wished me to tell my sad story to you. 
Well, then, here it is. What I tell you is true : 
Go, profit by what I have given to you — 
Like the South Wind, have pity on all that you view. 



^^ITH joy we hail this glorious day 
|W^ O shout aloud for joy, we say ! 
'^ This is the anniversary 

Of our great nation's liberty. 

Bring out the peals, thou joyous bells ! 
For every tone in memory tells 
Of that great day that made us free, 
Gave us this land of liberty ! 

As we look back to days gone by, 
And see our fathers bleed and die, 
That we may, after them, be free, 
And here. enjoy our liberty, 

O let us all with reverence bow, 
And place fair laurels on their brow ; 
And feel that we must thankful be 
For this, our land of liberty. 



Independence (Lay. 251 

Our country ^s father — Washington — 
With other noble patriot sons, 
Come out to set our country free, 
And give us glorious liberty. 

In seventeen hundred seventy-six, 
Our nation's birth we date from this : 
Within those walls we there might see 
The signers for our liberty. 

They each came forward, one by one, 
Until the very last had come. 
And signed the Declaration free, 
That gave our land its liberty. 

Then loud and long the shout went up, 
'^O let us taste of Freedom's cup !" 
All hail! we must and shall be free! 
Hail, glorious land of liberty ! 

Within our borders soon we find 
A tyrant came, his chains to bind 
In bondage o'er this land we see — 
This glorious land of liberty. 

Our colored brother was a slave 
Within our land of heroes brave ; 
We broke the chain, he now is free — 
In this great land of liberty. 

Our glorious land is truly free 
From every form of slavery ; 
And year by year we hope to see 
That we strive more for liberty. 



252 ^Poems for the Times. 

Then loudly let the welkin ring! 
With joy the day we ^11 usher in ! 
Let all the nations, all who may, 
Shout, " Hail our Independence Day !'' 



S|HE thunder rolls along — the sound 
[ Comes with a distant roar ; 
^^^ The forked lightnings play around, 
And rain begins to pour. 

Look out ! The clouds are hurrying past, 

The wind is blowing hard; 
The tune is played — first slow, then fast. 

Like music of a bard. 

Now comes a lull, as if to sleep. 

Is all in quiet round ; 
Now comes a flash — the mighty deep 

Is broken ! Hear the sound ! 

Now patter, patter, on the roof. 

The rain is falling fast; 
In fury hear the horses' hoof. 

As quick they hurry past. 

Now loudly crash the thunder-bolt — 

Flash after flash now comes. 
As if to shake foundation's hold ; 

The rain is pouring down. 



The ^Rain=Storm, 253 

Majestic sound! seraphic fire! 

As though from pole to pole, 
The zigzag flames are rising higher, 

The thunder louder rolls. 

Now comes a flash and then a clap, 

The deafening sound we hear; 
Now soon the rain begins to slack 

As first it did appear. 

The rain has ceased, and now appears 

Bright rays of sunshine beam : 
Below the sun is shining clear — 

And, lo, what noio is seen ! 

The bow ! the bow ! the heavenly bow ! 

Now arching o'er our heads : 
By this we mortals surely know 

There 's nothing more to dread. 

A promise given, in days gone by, 

To all earth's children here. 
That when the rainbow sits on high 

Their sun was sitting clear. 

The rain is gone ; the storm is past ; 

All o'er our land is seen 
A freshness over all ; 't will last 

Till Sol doth rule again. 

Nature's restorer — heavenly shower — 

Will add new life to all, 
And will bring forth the choicest flowers 

To deck the garden wall. 



254 cPoems for the Times. 

I love the lightning's glaring flash, 

I love the thunder's roar — 
The wind, with its majestic lash, 

The cooling rain that pours. 

The thunder is the voice of God 

Speaking to sons of men — 
The flash, the fire of Nature's word 

That brings refreshing rain. 

O let me sit and watch the clouds, 

As hurrying past, they go ; 
They make me think of mortals proud — 

Through life they hurry so. 

The bow, the peaceful bow, so sweet. 

Emblem of future rest. 
Tells us, when we have left this seat. 

We join the heavenly blest. 

May we, when all the storms of life. 

In fury have been spent; 
When we have struggled through the strife, 

Have nothing to repent. 

But may our bow of promise rise, 
And may our sun set clear — 

Our spirits rise beyond the skies. 
Our clouds all disappear. 



(belirium Tremens. 255 

WRETCH in life! Why thus am I! 
\^ 9 Why must I live, and thus must die 
^ With hellish torture of the mind ? 
Holding the grasjJ that firmly binds 
Around my neck, these hideous forms : 
Why thus so tortured, why thus torn? 
O, God! this creeping o'er me now, 
It makes great beads stand on my brow : 
O that I could from demons fly ! 
O that I could lay down and die! 
No! no! not die! For then they 'd take 
Me yonder, to that burning lake. 
There plunge me in with fiendish glee: 
Then never, never could I flee. 
These living serpents 'round me twine : 
O give me wings, that I may find 
Some place — some spot that I may hie 
Away from these — O I must die! 
Look! Do you see that hideous head 
With horns and tail we so much dread ? 
'T is Satan. See ! his imps are here ! 
They, one by one, all scratched and bleared, 
Appear to me. With hand of fire 
They touch my brow, and brand me liar! 

must I take this mark, to wear 
On earth, above, and every-where? 

They laugh — they dance around me now — 

1 feel their hot breath on my brow ! 
These spiders creeping — creeping still, 
They torture me with hearty will ! 



256 (Poems for the Times. 

O take me from these horrid things — 

These reptiles — insects on the wing ! 

O let me go ! O let me fly ! 

Or I must surely, surely die. 

There comes another ! See how wild ! 

His eyes are on me all the while! 

With claws or talons firm and strong 

To tear in pieces this — my form ! 

Take him away ! take him away ! 

Why will ye not my words obey ! 

There, he has clutched me — do n't you see 

That I, ere long, will mangled be? 

O, God! I suffer untold pain, 

O, I must perish, that is plain ! 

See! see! those lizzards, toads, and flies 

Around are crawling as I lie : 

Take them away ! take them away ! 

Or I will surely be their prey. 

O, Father, save from this dread scene ! 

drive from me such sights so mean ! 
There, there, I 'm falling ! do n't you see 
The pit, just there, prepared for me? 
See! see! those devils dance around 
And laugh, to see me falling down. 
Help ! help ! I 'm going, going there. 
The lot of Satan's imps to share; 

1 'm falling, falling — lower, lower — 
I soon must reach the infernal floor ! 
O, God ! my brain is whirling round 
As I am passing, passing down. 
The fire now burns so hot and fierce, 
It seems my very soul to pierce : 



The Old Tree. 257 

O pity ! lend a helping hand 
To save an erring brother man ! 

take me from this awful place ! 

1 feel the flames all o'er my face \ 
One drop of water let me have 

To cool my brain in this hot grave. 
O save ! I 'm going, going now ! 
The flames are burning on my brow, 
'T is o'er ! I ^m gone ! I soon shall be 
Launched out into eternity ! 



Standing there, lonely, still— 
^ Facing life's storms and ills : 
'^ Years have passed o'er thy head, 
Still thou art not quite dead. 
Verdure green we see around, 
Thy top, particularly, is crowned : 
Through thy leaves, the whisp'ring air 
Brings us sweetest music there. 

Old tree, in thy worn face 
Methinks that I can trace 
Winter's cold, piercing storm, 
Which hath thee nearly shorn : 
Thine arms, extending wide. 
Were once thy joy and pride ; 
But now they look in dread 
To tell us they are dead. 



258 (Poems for the Times. 

Time marked thee for his own ! 

Soon will he take thee home : 

Soon, silently, he '11 say, 

I '11 take this tree away. 

Perhaps in earlier times 

Thou heard'st the war-whoop's chimes 

Perchance, in thy cool shade 

The red man oft hath laid. 

"VYe think of thee once more, 
With leaves thy limbs strewn o'er — 
Thy branches thrifty grew. 
Catching the evening dew. 
Then go we farther back — 
Thy pathway we can track — 
Thy inmost sprout we scan. 
Coming at God's command : 

Now, see thee onward move 
Higher and higher above : 
We see thee now ascend. 
Thine upward way to wend ; 
Behold thy giant form 
Stand up to face the storm. 
Firm, trusting in thy might. 
Life's battles wilt thou fight. 

Nor carest thou how the blast 
At thy stout form be cast : 
In prime, we see thee stand 
Magnificent and grand : 
A sentinel hast been 
In that dark, shady glen. 



The Old Tree. 259. 

Perhaps thou 'st oft beguiled 
The footsteps of the child : 

Perhaps led footsteps, light. 

Of traveler, at night : 

In years long since gone by, 

He ^s often heard thee sigh, 

As through thy branches came 

Thy fierce, fierce blast. The same 

As often we have seen. 

And felt the touch so keen. 

Behold ! thou ^rt dying, now — 
To thy Maker must thou bow, 
And go to thy long home, 
Forsaken and alone. 
Thy mates, all gone before. 
Are known on earth no more ; 
Their footsteps none can trace — ■ 
Gone to their resting-place. 

Soon wilt thou lay aside 
This form, with branches wide, 
And take thy last farewell, 
No longer here to dwell. 
A shadow o'er thee cast 
Tells thou art gone at last : 
Gone to thy quiet grave, 
Alas ! we ne'er can save. 

As I now see thee stand, 
So noble and so grand, 
I may, here, well compare 
Thy life with mortals fail'. 



260 C^oems for tlie Times. 

A¥ho d\Yell here on our sphere — 
In infancy appear — 
Grow upward in their prime — 
Stand firm, and yet sublime. 

But mark the changes seen ! 
Soon we might see thee lean. 
Bowed down by piercing blasts— 
Ah, thou must die at last ! 
This manly form, so brave, 
Must slumber in the grave : 
But, ah, this more Ave see ! — 
'T is immortality. 

Onward in future life. 
The soul is freed from strife: 
Marches beyond all time, 
This great, immortal mind : 
O may we wisdom see 
In this old, dying tree. 
And face the fiercest blast 
With courage, till the last. 



fOW brightly shines the noon-day sun, 
As, day by day, his course he runs ; 
He lends his light to yonder star 
That sends its light from earth afar. 
Thou shinest brightly through all time — 
This great and glorious sun of thine. 



The Clouds are Silver^Lined. 201 

But could we e'er on earth here view, 
And of this brightness judge quite true, 
If no dark clouds e'er came between 
This glistening ray, or ne'er were seen : 
Then brightly show that light of thine. 
The cloud we see is silver-lined. 

Then pass along and show thy face ; 
Though darkness comes, 'tis no disgrace; 
Though gloomy be thy pathway here, 
Thy place thou boldest in our sphere; 
We soon will see, in God's own time. 
That this dark cloud is silver-lined. 

If thou didst never show thy face. 
Or in the heavens had ne'er been placed. 
Our earth, so pleasant to behold. 
Would suffer sorrow — pain untold ; 
Then pass along, in thy good time, 
We know that thou art silver-lined. 

Humanity on earth, appear 

With storms and clouds around them here; 

We know the sun will sometimes shine — 

A promise from that power divine. 

The clouds will come whene'er 't is time. 

But 'neath, we know, they 're silver-lined. 

The woman of our land, to-day, 
Beneath the clouds so long has stayed. 
She sees her sun begin to shine : 
The promised light to her poor mind. 
Woman, that cloud you soon will find. 
If e'er turned o'er, is silver-lined. 



262 (Poems for the Times. 

Rise in thy strength! O take thy place, 
And meet thy mission face to face : 
Prepare thyself to do thy work, 
Then will the w^orld know thy true worth ; 
Show to the world, by power of mind, 
That thy dark cloud is silver-lined. 

Stand thou beside thy brother man, 
For God and Nature formed the plan : 
Great powers of mind he gave to you. 
Then stand up, woman, and be true : 
Let thou thy light, O brightly shine. 
To show that clouds are silver-lined. 

Take what to thee doth now belong, 

And with thy powers, O right thy wrongs ! 

O stand up nobly, and be free. 

And to the world, O strive to be 

So good and true, thy light will shine. 

And clouds, as e'er, be silver-lined. 

Act wisely in this tiying hour. 
And by thine actions show thy power ; 
And may thy brother man yet see 
That thou a light to him may be : 
Show him, with all thy powers of mind, 
The cloud that passed was silver-lined. 

The future will unfold to you. 
In man, the noble, good, and true, 
As side by side you soon will stand. 
Each with their rights within our land : 
He must behold, at such a time. 
That thy dark cloud was silver-lined. 



Truth. 263 

Work for humanity in love, 

As does our Father up above ; 

And strive to break the drunkard's chain : 

Till not a drunkard shall remain. 

Thus will thy light so truly shine — 

Thy dark, dark cloud be silver-lined. 

Then will we have a jubilee, 
When all humanity is free — 
Whene'er we see no tyrant's chain 
E'er more upon our earthly plain. 
The cloud that 's passed, we all will find. 
And know, indeed, 't was silver-lined. 



fEM that well adorns 
The intellect o'er our land, 
-^ Within all mortal forms, 

All works of our Maker's hands. 
In the tiniest form of life 

We find this jewel rare : 
All nature is e'er rife 

With truth, when sought with care. 

The lowest being on earth 
Gives forth this gem so rare ; 

Deep down, we find true worth 
That always must endure. 



264 ^oems for tJie Times. 

Though hidden, for a tmie, 

The glorious luster fair, 
Yet, if we seek, we find 

This gem of purity there. 

Harmony's great design 

Unfold our Father's works; 
Discord we often find 

Conditions of our birth. 
Through strife is often found 

True goodness of the soul ; 
Dig from the surface down. 

These pearls of truth unfold. 

Conditions are sometimes bad. 

And deep imbedded there. 
Lying dormant, quiet, sad — 

Truths, placed and watched with care. 
Remove the covering here — 

This rubbish clear away, 
Beautiful truths appear, 

Like bright and golden rays. 

Each being in our land 

Hath a part allotted here — 
A separate place to stand, 

And lives within its sphere. 
Each hath a work to do. 

Unfolding, day by day. 
To bring out what is true 

In various works and ways. 



Truth, 265 

One being can never say 

To another that he may see, 
" Depart from this, my way ; 

I have no need for thee.'' 
The rain, that drops so slow, 

To refresh the parched earth, 
Can not say, as they go, 

^^ I '11 depart, for I 've no worth." 

The stars, as they twinkle at night, 

In the firmament over our heads, 
Ne'er shine in their splendor bright. 

Like the sun, from its fiery bed : 
Should they say, " I '11 cease my work. 

No need can there be for me; 
Away from my place I'll lurk — 

Away from creation flee ?" 

The patient little star 

Shines forth in its orbit there, 
And a truth is brought far — far 

By that star so small and so fair. 
Though small, you are needed to fill 

The place allotted you here; 
So shine in your orbit still, 

By your Heavenly Father's care. 

Truth marks each step in life — 

Each form and condition here; 
Comes out and shines through strife — 

Unfolds and becomes more clear. 
12 



^266 (Poems for the Times. 

If we study our Father's law ; 

If we strive to find truth in all, 
With naught but reverence and awe 

Can we look upon great or small. 

In heaven and in earth we find 

Great truths unfolding to light, 
As soon as we place the mind 

All ready to view the sight ; 
And if we are willing to seek, 

With the aid of our Father wise, 
Great truths will unfold complete 

To the gaze of our wondering eyes. 

O, Truth, thou gem of thought ! 

May we possess thee in our mind — 
Thou pearl, from where'er brought — 

And may thy light ever shine. 
Nature with truth is rife. 

If we but open our eyes, 
Throughout this beautiful life, 

Enough to make us all wise. 

Angels are guarding, with care. 

This priceless jewel dear ; 
No tarnish or rust can wear 

The brilliancy, bright and clear. 
May my prayer, throughout my life. 

Be for truth, so simple, yet bold— 
Throughout contention and strife. 

This treasure, O let me hold ! 



To=(b(iy and To^Morrow. 267 

O beautiful angel, divine ! 

Shine out in thy splendor bright ! 
So grand, so pure and sublime, 

In thy glorious, beaming light — 
Then will we behold, in all, 

Great good from our Father^s hand : 
Be it ever so great or small. 

All act by this great command. 



A. 

(JPjO-DAY is in the present — 

Jul To-morrow will unfold 

^ Its pleasures and its sorrows. 

That all our actions mold. 

To-day wx now are living, 
To-morrow never comes : 

To-day in form we 're dwelling. 
To-morrow takes us home. 

To-day we feel so happy. 
To-morrow feel so sad: 

. To-day this life enjoying. 
To-morrow all seems bad. 

To-day we are all sunshine, 
To-morrow brings its clouds: 

To-day we live for something, 
To-morrow wear the shroud. 



^68; (Boems for the Times. 

To-day dear friends are living. 
To-morrow turn with scorn; 

To-day our hearts believing; 
But doubt to-morrow morn. 

To-day we build large castles, 
To-morrow sees them fall: 

To-day possess life's treasures, 
To-morrow takes them all. 

To-day bright hopes are rising. 
But ere to-morrow^s sun 

Has sunken low, they 're fading — 
They vanish, one by one. 

To-day we 're firmly trusting, 
To-morrow seem to doubt: 

The objects of our living 
For us have faded out. 

To-day we work in mercy : 
The objects of our care, 

When, all their sorrows over, 
To-morrow find a snare. 

They thank you for your kindness 
To-day J while you lend help; 

To-morrow, turn with coldness, 
And try with stones to pelt. 

To-day sees good and wisdom 
In all beneath the sun : 

To-mo7'row finds us trying 
Away from all to run. 



The Old Oak Tree, 269 

And thus we all are passing 

Through life, in hope and fear: 
To-day is what we 're living, 

To-morrow comes not here. 

Then will we work in Present, 

The Future never comes ; 
And make the best of lifetime, 

Till all the sands are run. 

We '11 do our Master's bidding, 

That we have here begun ; 
To-morrow he '11 be calling : 

May this be said, "Well done." 



mt «W #il Mxu. 

^N childhood's days, I sat beside 
y| Thy trunk, so tall, so grand; 
^Thy branches spread out far and wide. 
To shield our little band. 

We played beneath the rustic shade, 

In time long since gone by. 
And there, in innocence, we stayed — 

My schoolmates all, and I. 

In summer days of long ago. 

My brother might be seen 
Stopping, as we went to and fro. 

To rest upon the green. 



•270 CPoefns for the Times-. 

And when the sun's bright rays came down, 

And made the earth all dry, 
We 'd sit ourselves upon the ground, 

Or 'neath the shade would lie. 

How many tales of sore distress — 

Of joy and sorrow too — 
How many sad and aching breasts 

Have told their grief to you. 

How many tales of love have been 

Confided to thy care; 
And, hadst thou eyes, thou couldst have seen 

The maiden's blushes there. 

But time has passed, and we now find 

That thou art growing old; 
The ivy 'round thy form hath twined — 

Beneath we see the mold. 

Ere long some fierce and searching blast 

Will bow thy head to earth; 
And Time will put its fingers fast, 

And all thy form disburse. 

We love thee for the days we passed 

By thee, long, long ago ; 
Thy death will shadows o'er us cast — 

We dread to let thee go. 

But One has spoken for thy form ; 

His will — His great command — 
Holds all control, and takes thee on ; 

He moves his mighty wand. 



Work for Good. 271 

Farewell, old oak ! if ne^er again 

I may before thee stand, 
Still, in my memory thou ^It remain, 

And go to th^ other land. 

From thee may we a lesson learn : 

To do what good we can, 
Be ready when it comes our turn 

To go, at God^s command. 



f|IFT the vail from off thy seeing — 
^ Turn thy vision, now, within ; 
"^ What is this that thou beholdest? 
Sorrow, grief, regret, and sin. 

Dost thou think thy brother happy — 
Naught disturbs his joy and bliss? 

Cans't thou read that secret sorrow 
Lingering in that heart of his? 

Life may give him many blessings, 

That to others are denied ; 
But a deeper, darker shadow 

Lies beneath that outward pride. 

Never think thy lot the hardest — 
Think not thou art all alone — 

For, perchance, thy brother's burdens 
Are much harder to be borne. 



272 ^oems for the Times. 

If we never had a sorrow — 
If we never knew a care — 

Could we judge of others' trials? 
Of their grief could we e'er share? 

Never murmur or grow weary — 
Always strive on patiently — 

Hoping, trusting, always trying, 
Looking for prosperity. 

Ever strive to do your duty, 

Cheer the lonely, help the weak : 

Do some good, anal never Aveary, 
But be humble, pure, and meek. 

Crushed and lonely, sad and weary. 
Will we find all o'er our land; 

Let us treat them, O so gently — 
Kindly take them by the hand. 

O speak gently to the erring ! 

Kindly give from out your store ; 
Let them see you have a feeling, 

If you give them nothing more. 

Never fear to soil your garments — 
Never fear the world's cold frown; 

Keep your motives pure and righteous, 
Naught can crush you to the ground. 

Let us live here for each other, 
While we stay beneath the sun; 

Then we '11 make each other happy — 
Then our work will be " well done." 



The Little Mound. 273 



^ITHIN that small inclosure 
Pjl Can easily be found — 
'^ (Although the grass grows high there)- 
A little, narrow mound. 



I sit me down beside it ; 

The tears are falling fast ; 
Fresh to my memory cometh 

Scenes that are long since past. 

My infant boy — my darling — 
Sleeps there beneath the sod; 

His little spirit liveth 

Now with his Father, God. 

^T was in the cold December 
We laid his form away ; 

Ah, well do I remember 
That dark and gloomy day ! 

They took from me my treasure — 
My babe, my darling child : 

I felt that clouds forever 

Would hide from me his smile. 

My sweet, sweet little nestling ! 

Why tear me from this gem, 
And leave me in this sorrow? 

O give him back again ! 



274 (Poems for the Times. 

These were the words I uttered, 
While standing by the grave ; 

" O give me grace to bear it ! 
Father, O give, I pray." 

Ah, who loves as a mother? 

Who feels these tender ties 
As she, when taken from her 

The idol of her eyes? 

But many years -of sorrow 

Have passed since that sad time ; 

In memory still he liveth, 
And oft comes to my mind 

I feel that bitter anguish, 

While sitting by this mound ; 

But Time hath done its knelling. 
And rolled its yearly round. 

Yet oft, within the past years, 
I think, will my dear boy 

Meet me, in joyous welcome. 
Where naught can e'er alloy ? 

. And will he greet his mother. 

When I shall cross the strand— 
And will we know each other 
In that bright, happy land? 

Methinks I hear a whisper, 

So softly in my ear — 
" O, mother ! yes, I '11 know you, 

When you get over here. 



My Garden. 275 



'^I 've many things to show you, 
When you come here to live ; 

I love you, O, dear mother ! 
My hand to you I ^11 give.'' 

O, Father, how I bless thee. 
For hope of life beyond ! 

When we may cross the threshold, 
Whene'er this life is done. 

glorious, happy meeting! 
Those dear ones gone before 

Have no more death or parting — 
All joy forever more. 

1 now resign my treasure 
Unto my Father's care ; 

And wait until his pleasure 
Takes me with him to share. 

Let me do all his bidding — 
All that 's for me to do ; 

And when he calls, I 'm coming, 
Dear one, to live with you. 



[^ (Siirl^etL 



AM working in my garden — 
'T is a little plat of ground ; 
And with all. the choicest flowers 
Doth my garden here abound. 



276 (Poems for the Times. 

There 's the rose, with many petals, 
And the 'blue-bell, blue and true ; 

And the lily, various specimens — 
The pansy, with its purple hue. 

There are some plants in my garden 
That I do not like so well. 

Yet I ^tend them, O so carefully, 
That their virtue they may tell. 

There 's the burdock and the thistle, 
Growing there beside the rest, 

Yet I train them in their arbor. 
In the place that seemeth best. 

God has given these so various 
For a purpose good and wise : 

All his gifts are ever glorious; 
All his works rejoice our eyes. 

If I find, within my garden. 
Noxious weeds, the dew to sup — 

Those that 'tend to choke my flowers — 
Carefully, I pull them up. 

Tenderly watch and water — 

All the drooping plants train up; 

Presently the showers gather. 

Then they drink from Nature's cup. 

Each is perfect in its being. 
And they, day by day, unfold 

That each one that I am 'tending 
Hath, each day, a story told. 



The Wind. 277 

This I learn within my garden, 

That more perfect we may be: 
If we do with care the weeding, 

Flowers more perfect we shall see. 

Should you wish to view my flowers, 

And life's lesson learn with me : 
The flowers I have are human beings — 

My garden — all humanity. 



^ROM the north do I come, with a voice loud and strong, 
II5 I herald to you the approach of a storm : 
^"^ My voice, too, is heard on the sea's mighty deep. 
Where the breath that I give has rocked many to sleep. 

I also go forth at the close of the day. 

And oft with the curls of the children I play : 

So gently I fan the sweet sleeper at night. 

That little he thinks of my great power and might. 

I have hurled from their bedding tall trees to the ground. 
And scattered destruction w^th one mighty sound : 
I 've leveled to earth, with one mighty stroke. 
Proud mansions, as well as the great, sturdy oak. 

All this can I do in my poAver and might : 
Much more could I give to make up the sight. 
Lofty towers have come down, at the will of my mind, 
And have laid all to waste, by the voice of the wind. 



278 ' (Poems for the Times. 

But witKout me no person on earth could remain — 
No being, one moment, could life here retain ; 
A curse and a blessing to all I have been — 
In my breath has a pestilence oft been felt keen. 

Though a friend to humanity, here in this life, 
Where I go you will often find discord and strife 
Wherever I go, it matters not where, 
I partake of th« very condition that 's there. 

When I breathe on the pure, and the good, and the true 
I become, in a moment, with goodness imbued ; 
But when I contend with the vile and the low, 
I go from their presence like them, you may know. 

When I visit the den of the drunkard, I find 
His breath is a part of my own breath — the wind : 
The fumes from the place encompass me ^round. 
And I carry them forth on the journey I 'm bound. 

But whenever I breathe where'er purity dwells, 

My influence then makes the invalid well : 

Restorer of Nature — a balm for disease 

To the one who, perchance, may come where I breathe. 

Go shun all the filthy — the low, with disgust ; 
Never visit the rum-shop, but look with distrust : 
Those places will lead your whole being to hell, 
And bmd you with fetters, there ever to dwell. 

Stay away from all places of sin and disgrace ; 
For then will I blow a sweet breath in your face : 
I '11 strengthen your nerves — unfold all your power, 
And help you to sustain your form every hour. 



(Prayer of a Stepmother. 279 

O turn from all evil ! O learn to be wise ! 
Then learn thou this lesson : Endeavor to rise : 
Heed well what the voice of the wind saith to you — 
Be sober, be honest, and learn to be true. 



irager 0f ^ 3tt\mm\\%tt. 

HEOUGH all my life, O, Father, 
Hast thou been all to me : 
'^ O lead me ever after 

True wasdom — charity. 

O give me love and patience 

Sufficient for the task ; 
Be thou unto me gracious. 

In humble faith I ask. 

Help me to fill my mission. 

Whatever it may be ; 
And teach me. Lord, life's lesson, 

And lead me up to thee. 

When clouds grow thick around me, 
And sorrows crush my soul : 

My broken heart, in mercy, 
O, Father^ make it whole. 

While dealing now with mortals 
Placed here beneath my care, 

O keep me near that portal 

Of peace and goodness there. * 



280 (Poems for the Times. 

I know tliat I am human — 
Surrounded, tempted, vexed — 

Like other helpless women, 
Ofttimes am I perplexed. 

O send thy holy angels 
To guide me where I go; 

If I must be with strangers, 
O soothe all grief and woe ! 

Help me to give good counsel — 
To live up to the right ! 

O may my life be counted 
As precious in thy sight ! 

May those that may be coming 
To live within my road, 

Be always kind and loving — 
With patience bear their load. 

Dear children, that are dwelling 
Beneath this parent roof: 

With care my thoughts distending, 
Whene'er I may reprove; 

O send some holy angel 
To lead me gently on — 

To deal with love to strangers, 
And comfort the forlorn. 

Lead me in paths of duty. 
Whatever may be my part ; 

May I behold thy beauty. 
And do with all my heart. 



The (Pale (Boatman. '2-81 

May I show love and mercy 

To all that come to me; 
Give drink unto the thirsty, 

And hold them up to thee. 

O keep me from temptation : 

If tempted, may I bear 
My lot with resignation : 

Help thou, through all my care. 

Keep me from all that 's evil, 

And lead me in the right ; 
And may I ne^er be grieving 

Thy Spirit^s power and might. 

Impartial in my actions, 

^Twixt others and my own . 
Help smooth all great distraction — 

Give bread, and not a stone. 

May we all live harmonious. 

While dwelling here below. 
O, Lord, thy grace now give us. 

Where'er through life we go. 



Wkt lab §0iiWBi, 

IHE pale boatman launches his tiny bark 

Away in the flowing tide — 
^'' To carry us over that river so dark. 
That river so deep and so wide. 



282 (Poems for the Times. 

He now kindly bids us to come on board 

His boat, so firm and strong ; 
He tells us he carries his little load 

By the oars, so narrow and long. 

He points to a land, all fair and bright, 

Just over the other side — 
Where beautifiil landscapes gladden the sight, 

And bid all sad fear to subside. 

He shows us the narrow, narrow gate 
That mortals must pass through ; 

Each mortal must enter — such is the fate 
Of all earth's children we view. 

He pictures, within the wicket-gate, 

A garden, rich and rare: 
The fruit of whose trees we all will taste. 

As soon as we enter there. 

He says, " Do n't fear to cross with me, 

The river is but a span ; 
Get into my boat, and soon you '11 see 

That beautiftl summer-land. 

" There 's a bridge, you see, just over our heads, 
That you can cross over in time : 

'T is the bridge of Love, that ever doth wed 
Harmonious, happy minds. 

" You '11 meet dear friends and loved ones there 
Come, now, and launch forth with me — 

You then will be rid of this world of care — 
You there can be happy and free. 



The Era. 283. 

"A friend am I to all mortals here : 

I take tliem away from strife, 
To a higher, happier, better sphere, 

And give them eternal life. 

" Do n't stand and dread, with shivering hand. 

But now just step on board; 
I '11 land you safe in the happy land — 

Come, help to fill the boat. 

" If I leave you now, I soon wdll come; 

You then must be willing to go. 
The boat that I have here holds just one : 

In future you can not say no. 

"I've taken the load on board, for now 

Away I am rowing, you see ; 
Though pale the face and damp the brow. 

He '11 be glad he went with me. 

" Farewell, I am coming another time ! 

Be ready with me to go. 
Now think, dear mortals, make up your mind, 

Nor wish to tarry so." 



^^URE as the curtain drops at night, 
^ So sure will come the morn : 
^ The gloomy mantle hiding light, 
Must pass away at dawn. 



284 (Poems for the Times. 

All clouds will have their lining bright ; 
All grief must pass way : 

For each dark hour there 's one that 's light- 
Each night shall have its day. 

This is a law of Nature true, 

Given to beings here ; 
For all conditions here, we view. 

Have changes in our sphere. 

The night that 's hung o'er woman's soul 

Is soon to pass away : 
Her broken heart shall be made whole : 

Lord, hasten soon the day ! 

Stern Justice stands, with scales in baud, 

And equally they 're poised : 
Woman in one — the other, man : 

He gives them equal voice. 

She takes the stand in her defense, 

Because she now can plead. 
And stand up for that innocence. 

That every sister needs. 

Ere long the clouds will pass away, 

And she will take her place 
Beside her brother's mortal clay. 

All ready for the race. 

O bid her welcome to the field ! 

Nor scorn her efforts bold ! 
Do n't let her stop, nor ever yield 

Till all her risrhts she hold ! 



What is the Cause. 285 



™EAY tell why that sin abounds — 
2^ Is widely seen stalking around 
^ Throughout our land of liberty, 
With such bare-faced asperity. 
Why is it people grow much worse, 
And to themselves become a curse? 
O tell me, tell me^ if you can. 
Why man so hates his brother man? 
Jesus came here on earth to dwell, 
All darkness, error, to dispel; 
A new and better law he gave. 
Which, practiced, would most truly save 
From sin and sorrow, crime and woe, 
That, demon-like, walk to and fro : 
Why do n't the people try to school 
Their minds unto the Golden Rule? 
O tell me why such is the case. 
That mortals will themselves disgrace ? 
Never a time in history's page; 
. Never such sins in any age ; 
Never such crimes, such horrid things. 
That bring but curses, blighting stings : 
Wiser and weaker, we are told, 
Mortals on earth do we behold : 
If wisdom greater they possess, 
Why do n't such horrors, then, grow less ? 
Open our understanding here. 
And tell why thus these things appear : 
Give us, O give us light, we pray ! . 



286 (Poems for the Times. 

Show why the cause of such sad frays : 

Why hatred, malice, and revenge, 

Where immorality will end? 

Why tyrants' power is felt o'er all, 

To crush the feeble till they fall ? 

Licenciousness, perfidity. 

Go forth with such asperity ; 

O can it be some power unseen 

The earth and heaven hath come between ? 

Is it behind the screen they come. 

To harass and perplex earth's sons? 

Our blood runs cold, from day to day, 

When reading of such dreadful frays — 

Of hearing daily, hourly, too. 

Inhumanity brought to view. 

Through all the walks of life, we scan 

^^ Man's inhumanity to man." 

O can it be that beings born 

Came here on earth, in early morn. 

Are bred in lust and passion, too, 

Are acting nature, as they do : 

These dreadful things that greet our ears. 

And fill our hearts, our eyes with tears ? 

O can it be a mother dear. 

Ere that wee infant may appear. 

Tries every means at her command 

That she a mother may not stand : 

Uses all artificial means — 

As o'er our land is daily seen — 

To thus dispatch the life within 

That infant form, so free from sin ? 

With vengence wreaked on innocence, 



What is the Cause. 287 

Going by this emolument, 
Society has been the cause 
Of violating Nature's laws : 
The gayety possessed by others, 
Is coveted by this poor mother ; 
And that design to be fulfilled, 
Acts in the way her mind has willed. 
Perhaps, unable to perform 
The task devolving here upon 
That envious mother, to her care 
Gives it oblivion's lot to share. 
Perchance her efforts here may fail; 
If so, henceforth she must entail 
Within that infant heart, in time. 
Revenge and murder, guilt and crime. 
If this be so, O mother, thou 
In shame and sorrow need'st to bow, 
If after time reveals to thee 
That this condition thou must see. 
What horror fills that mother's heart, 
To see that child in crime take part; 
And know the cause of this, his sin. 
Sees where his tendencies begin. 
Is this the cause? O look, beware ! 
Have you in crimes like this e'er shared? 
Through your instrumentality 
Gave birth to such atrocity? 
Such beings have a place, while here — 
Live, act a part in this, our sphere ; 
Perchance they meet the law in force, 
For crimes that you must e'er indorse — 
Crime that, in true reality. 



288 . (Poems for the Times. 

Belongs to our society. 
If this is so, and crime abounds, 
From these conditions seen around, 
O, mother ! seek at once the means 
Of stopping these heart-rending scenes ! 
Act wisely ! show your own good sense ! 
And drive those low conditions hence : 
; Stand firm in principles of right ! 
Rise up in womanhood's true might ! 
If married, live in married life 
As doth become a noble wife. 
And if conditions you surround 
Bind you in poverty around. 
If your relations here in life 
Forbid you thus to act as wife — 
If mother you in life can ne'er 
Be, without suffering too severe, 
O, stand up firm ! maintain your right ! 
Live in the great and present light! 
Control your own identity — 
Maintain your true position free! 
Thin e individuality. 
O never give this treasure free : 
God made you — gave you power to act — 
O never from his law detract! 
Act wisely, truly, here in mind — 
Show forth the power of love divine. 
But never lay this crown of thine 
Beneath the feet of any shrine ; 
If husband you may here possess. 
He should ne'er ask you nothing less 
Than this, to stand up noble — free — 



Life and Eternity, 289 

Not place unwilling care on thee, 

But freely let thee choose for thee 

The time for thy maternity. 

If such were thy conditions here, 

Such dreadful things would not appear : 

The star of love w^ould truly shine, 

And would unfold in truth divine ; 

And beings free from taint or crime 

Would then inhabit this, our clime. 

If this is so, the cause, we see. 

Of such things, is society. 

O, woman ! now at once awake. 

That of those things thou ^It ne'er partake ! 

Act wisely while 't is called to-day — 

Help put these dreadful things away ! 

If we must help to mold the mind. 

The best material let us find. 

That we may do our work well here — 

In future will our star shine clear. 



fife m& mum% 

mEYOND, around, on every side, 
P Comes here before our view 
^ Forms, given to all that here abide, 
Which tells us life is true. 



Naught can we judge within this sphere, 

We ne'er conclusions find ; 
Without a form, naught we see here 

Capacitates our mind. 

13 



290 ~ (Boems for the Tmes. 

All objects here that meet our eye . 

New light to us impart ; 
Life, within all that walk or lie, 

Does give to all a start. 

We dig down deep beneath our crust; 

We find those metals rare : 
Secure from mold, they ne'er can rust — 

A form of life is there. 

Down deep within the ocean's bed 
We may observe, with care. 

The insect small, that forms and molds 
The coral, rich and rare. 

Though small it be, yet life we find 

Within that rocky bed — 
Each form of life brings to our mind 

That all are wisely led. 

The tiny plants we scarce can scan 
Are forms through which unfold 

The life. 'T is given in God's own plan, 
For good to all untold. 

We still see higher forms of life 

In trees, so noble, grand ; 
This world of ours, all o'er, is rife 

With work of God's own hand. 

The animal still higher stands, 

And shows a higher form 
Of life, that wisdom doth command, 

That here on earth are borne. 



Life and Eternity, 291 

This is the highest and the best, 

That holds this principle — 
This life within the human breast 

Holds all invincible. 

All forms below this latest one — 

Of bird, or plant, or brute — 
This higher form, this last that comes. 

Hath form of life astute. 

This hath the power of reason fine. 

Which gives pre-eminence 
O^er all the past — the lower kind — 

Stands on its eminence.- 

This life within — this form of man 

That dwells upon our sphere — 
Goes forth, life's mysteries to scan. 

Through all that doth appear. 

Not satisfied with this short time, 

As other forms brought on : 
But with capacity of mind 

Seeks to look out beyond. 

It climbs the ladder Jacob saw, 

Leading from heaven to earth: 
Sees God is working all through law — 

Scans e'en the heavenly birth. 

Naught but to go beyond this plain 

Can satisfy the mind — 
Eternity, the endless chain, 

That heaven and earth must bind. 



292 CPoems for the Times. 

All forms of life created are, 
For one great object tend: 

To lead the human being or 
Aid to its footsteps lend. 

Through form, this mortal here may rise, 
While dwelling on this sphere, 

Until it.nears the sought- for prize — ■ 
Life, beyond mortals here. 

^T is but a step, and soon it stands 
O'er all the bounds of time, 

And lives in the eternal land 
The same as here, in mind. 

It sees the past, the future life — 

Time and eternity 
Comes now before the quickened sight — 

Their vision now is free. 

Life is the great, true principle. 

Unfolding here, in form. 
Eternity — the invincible 

That carries life beyond. 

This lower form of life that 's seen 

The future can not find : 
Imperfect forms of life, we mean, 

Without the reasoning mind. 

These do their work, then pass away. 
And leave our earthly plain ; 

Sustaining human forms each d 
While here they may remain. 



J^ight. 293 

'Tis for the mortal that they live; 

Our Father, good and wise, 
Unto his children ever gives 

These forms so highly prized. 

Life and eternity are one : 

Commenced upon this sphere, 
Life takes on earth the mortal form, 

Humanity, while here. 

The mind, the great true principle 

Of lifers unfolding here, 
Lives on, although invincible. 

In other, higher spheres. 

Life, here unfolding through the form, 

In all humanity 
Must live forever — ever on 

Through all eternity. 



tILENCE — quiet all around us — 
Stillness seems to me like death ; 
"^^ Yet the cuckoo hymns his chorus, 
Coming with the zephyr's breath. 

All God's beings now are sleeping ; 

Hear ye not that breathing low ? 
All unconcious of their being — 

Of existing here below. 



294 ■ (Poems for the Times. 

Sleep, thou comest here to mortals, 

Tired nature to refresh; 
Then our spirit leaves this portal 

While our forms are laid to rest. 

All God's children, that he loveth 
Through this still and noiseless night, 

Take this blessing that he giveth 
When they labor in the light. 

Guardian angels come in silence. 
Watch their Father's flocks below, 

Bearing ever in remembrance 

That their Father loves them too. 

Utter darkness now is hovering 
O'er the angel of the night : 

Why this dark and gloomy covering? 
Are thy works not good and right? 

Now we see in yon horizon 

Is a tiny strip of gold ; 
Now old Luna's light is blazing, 

Showing forth her splendor bold. 

"Ah! " this angel, Night, is saying, 
"Do n't you see that blazing light? 

That 's my lamp, that I keep burning — 
All the deeds I do are right. 

" But within this great dominion 

There are those whose deeds are bad. 

And I give you my opinion, 
They oft wish m^^ lamp to fade. 



Jennie and I. 295 

"Thus I often, as requested, 

O'er my lamp will cast a shade; 
Thus their motives have I tested, 

Bj the plots that have been laid. 

" While the good, the true are sleeping ; 

While their forms are laid to rest. 
Then the cruel plots are breeding 

That doth many homes infest. 

*^ O wish that all would heed me. 

When I put my garments on. 
And would try and let their deeds be 

Good as e'en at light of morn. 

"Still, to those I prove a blessing; 

Others will advantage take — 
This will teach you all a lesson. 

Of the human family's state. 

"If you you heed when I 'm approaching. 

Do as Nature tells you to. 
You will never hear reproaches 

From me when I come to you." 



tOWN by the river we 've often played — 
Along its banks we 've often strayed; 
^ Picking butter-cups and daisies that grew 
Along the banks, our attention drew. 



296 (Poems for the Times. 

Jennie was three years old — I was five: 
We were as busy as bees in the hive ; 
Our cottage stood by the river brink — 
A beautiful place, I would have you think. 

One day mamma told us to go out and play, 

But we must not go very far away : 

Must not go beyond the cottage foreground, 

For fear we might fall in the stream and get drowned. 

So Jennie and I played there for awhile, 
But presently tried to climb o'er the stile 
That led to the river bank beyond ; 
We succeeded and soon were traveling along. 

The flowers we loved we knew were there: 

We picked every one that we saw with great care ; 

A lily white — so very fair — 

Grew close on the brink of the river there. 

Little Jennie soon saw the beautiful flower ; 
(Her doom was sealed from that very hour;) 
She ran the to spot, very near the brink ; 
She grasped the frail flower and began to sink. 

She screamed, " I am going ! O dear ! O dear ! 

I wish that mamma was somewhere near !" 

I heard the scream, and I quickly ran 

And tried to reach her, but she slipped from my hand, 

I caught myself by a little bush, 
And gave myself a very hard push ; 
I reached the top of the bank again — 
Away to the cottage in haste I ran. 



Little Children. 297 

'^ O, mamma V^ I said — and all in a breath — 
"Jennie ^s fell into the river and got all wet : 
Yes, into the river — over the brink, 
I saw her there — she began to sink.^' 



Mamma screamed, and ran with all her might; 

But Jennie, poor Jennie, had sunk from sight; 

The neighbors were called, they brought her out, 

And the water then streamed from her ears and mouth. 

They worked very hard to bring her to life; 
But all they could do I knew was not rife : 
Poor Jennie was gone ! — her soul had now fled — 
I see her just now, lying motionless — dead. 

We buried her under the willow tree — 
O lonely, so lonely, it seemed to me ; 
Alone would I sit and think of the time 
When we worked hard the stile to climb. 

But tliis have I learned — mamma to obey, 
And ever to mind and not run away ; 
To do as she tells me, and not disobey. 
As did Jennie and I that unhappy day. 



f ittb mmm. 

^llTTLE angel faces peep 
J I Through the lattice where I sit 
°*° Tiny little forms I meet, 

With their frolic, fun, and wit. 



298 ^oems for the Times. 

Happy hearts^ so light and free^ 
Gliding quickly round and round, 

Showing forth their childish glee, 
That doth plenteously abound. 

Now romp a^way they run, 
Now a skip at rope is seen ; 

Soon they gather one by one, 

Now^ they deck their fairy queen. 

Gaily singing as they go, 
Happy as the birds that fly -, 

As they hurry to and fro, 
See the sparkle of each eye. 

Lovely creatures — blessings given — 
Mortals, look within thy sphere; 

Could the dwellers now in heaven 
Be to mortals half so dear ? 

What would earth, with all its care. 

Be to us, who live below. 
If the darling prattler there 

From our hearth-stones forth should go. 

How they teach us in this life, 
Of trusting faith, of filial love ; 

How we face a world of strife, 
For that innocent, pure dove. 

See the Savior lay his hand 

Gently on those children's heads, 

As iie, to that little band, 

Words of kind instruction said. 



Little Children. 299 

Let the kingdom of our Lord 

Like onto a little child — 
Learn, O learn, with one accord 

To be humble, meek, and mild. 

Take the angel given to you ; 

Love it as it truly needs; 
Learn it that you 're ever true ; 

Sow within that heart, good seed. 

Teach the little feet to walk 

In the ways of truth and right ; 
Never at their sorrows mock — 

Try to lead them to the light. 

Watch their goings forth with care ; 

To your Father look for aid ; 
He will all your burden bear 

Through the sunshine and the shade. 

Those little ones so pure and sweet, 

O may we ever have them near ! 
Their shining faces may we greet, 

Their merry voices may we hear. 

God bless the children as they go 
Through life. O may we ever be 

Like little children, here below — 
Go forth in true simplicity. 



300 (Poems for tiie Times. 



fHIS everlasting chewing, chewing, 
Over our land is seen; 
^ And snuffing, filthy snuffing, 
That looks so low and mean. 

Then comes a pipe — and what comes next? 

Why smoky, smoky clouds ; 
Till o'er the form we see it rest 

Like a great murky shroud. 

A furnace of the mouth is made — 

The smoke — away it goes ; 
It rises higher — now it makes 

A chimney of the nose. 

Now spit away upon the floor, 

Or on the carpet new ; 
Repeat the practice, o'er and o'er, 

As all partakers do. 

Now sneeze away, now sneeze away — 

The nose becomes so red; 
The eyelids heavily now lay — 

Numbness comes o'er the head. 

Then take another pinch or so, 

To lift the heavy load; 
Then sneeze again, it helps, you know — 

(Yes, I should think it would !) 



The Weed. 301 

Now, how you feel ; you take a smoke — 

Perhaps the cloud will rise — 
And pretty soon 't is passing — note, 

^T is going to the eyes. 

This heavy weight is not removed — 

You 'd better take a chew; 
Now spit again — you always do 

Whene'er the quid renew. 

You 're growing feeble now, that 's true, 

In body and in mind; 
You can not tell what troubles you — 

Still, ease you can not find. 

Soon you grow gray — your sight grows dim — • 

You scarce can see to read ; 
Your stomach has a pain within — 

You 're growing old indeed. 

At forty you have grown so old 

You hardly know yourself; 
You now, witii sorrow, can behold 

The waning of your health. 

Still, chew and spit, and snuif and smoke, 

Till all your days are run : 
Of this you ever may take note — 

This mischief you have done. 

You ^ve brought gray hairs upon your head, 
Yoio ^ve caused that hand to shake : 

You ^ve made those eyes so very red, 
You ^ve made those nerves to quake. 



302 ^oems for the Times. 

The poison you have takemin 

Will penetrate the whole; 
Will fill each pore upon your skin, 

From crown of head to sole. 

'T will shorten days on earth begun, 
And bring you to the grave; 

Your sands of life will all be run 
Ere you to manhood raise. 

But never mind, still smoke and chew^ — 

Enjoy your life while here ; 
Nor care what ill may come to you. 

While dwelling in this sphere. 

If you ne'er live out half your days. 

Or e'en the half you find 
That you have, through these direful ways, 

Ruined your noble mind. 

Still, go ahead and use the weed. 

Care not for what is said; 
Go on, defile this form indeed. 

Till it lies cold and dead. 



ift^ WmU 1$ §^x$mi% %tt\tx. 



UE, world is growing better, we may note it every day : 
In many, many ways a better part some play ; 
' Richer in wealth of mind, we know to-day wx' are ; 
Yes, we are growing better and Aviser every year. 



Tlie World is Groivinf: (Better 



t> 



Progress is seen in every thing pertaining to this life — 
In knowledge of our duties and aims while facing strife : 
We find more liberal views accepted by the mass 
Than ever, long ago we knew, away out in the past. 

Great minds are bringing science down more fully to the 

mind 
Of people's understanding. More real worth we find 
To-day within our nation, than in days long ago, 
When Salem w^itchcraft ruled, and caused such scenes of 

woe. 

Yes, we are growing better as time is rolling 'round. 
And up the hill of progress the people are all bound : 
More generous to our neighbors in thought we daily grow. 
Nor try to crush the weak ones, as once we did, you know. 

Great, noble hearts are toiling to equalize more true 
The distance 'twixt the high and low, that 's often brought 

to view — 
True principles are studied, and better understood. 
And those conditions plainer shown betwixt the ill and 

good. 

Advanced are we in models great, to satisfy a claim 
Of life's great avocations, our natures to sustain : 
Machinery provided to do the work of hands. 
And give the mind a chance rich culture to command. 

Our sisters now have studied to speak for truth and right, 
Denouncing, in strong terms, the rule of power and might, 
Declaring to the world that man must never rule 
The woman with a scepter, or e'er make her a tool. 



304 ^? 0671 IS for the Times. 

She boldly stands for rights that God hath given her, 
And^ with a noble stand, these rights will she aver ; 
And brother man is coming out, and standing by hei* 

side, 
Upholding the true sister with noble, manly pride. 

Yes, we all are growing better, and daily do unfold 
Those inward intuitions that help the mind to mold 
In ways of holy wisdom, that leads us up, and on 
To ways of light and goodness, to give us hope beyond. 

In arts, and all the sciences controlling earthly minds. 
We find that daily, hourly, new beauties brightly shine: 
As we unfold and study life's book from page to }>age. 
We find we all are better than in a former age. 

We Ve often heard it spoken, ^' There never was a time 
Whene'er this earth was covered, as now it is, with crime ;" 
But taking all together, the age of progress, too, 
We 've come to the conclusion 't is not exactly true. 

We count the great upheavings those principles show 

forth. 
And many things we count as good that some think of 

no worth : 
Beneath a rough exterior oft truth is plainly scanned. 
Which shows to us quite clearly that God hath wisely 

planned. 

Take courage, bold inventor; go on, and labor well : 
In future, if not present, your works for you will tell : 
Do what your noble mind unfolds to you as right — 
Bring forth the product fearlessly, O bring it to the light ! 



Tlie World is Growing; (Better. 305 



^) 



All minds are growing better and wiser every day, 
And driving gloom or darkness and bigotry away : 
Each rolling of our orbit brings fortli to every heart 
A more intense decision to act a better part. 

Go on, my noble sister. Stand up, and advocate 
Those principles of righteousness that will a difference 

make : 
Stand firmly — ever, ever — until you take your crown, 
A]id never, for a moment, consent to lay it down. 

O let US all take courage, and labor with a will. 
Till every thing like evil within our land is killed : 
We ^11 fight our battles firmly, still trusting to the 

end, 
Tliat God will give us victory for all the lives we spend. 

Our world is growing better — we know that this is 

true : 
O let us ever follow the wisest path we view ! 
Keep pace with every movement that time to us unfolds, 
And learn these truths, while passing, and treasure them 

as gold. 

O yes, our world is better, much better than in past : 
Great lessons are we learing, those that will truly last : 
We will accept the truth, and error cast away : 
'Tis thus we're growing better, yes, better every day. 



806 (Poems for the Times. 

;jpHE moneyless man^ who can care for him? 
j^ No praises of such a being we sing — 
"^" No care or thought will ever arise 
For him, as he weeps, or e'en does rejoice: 
No business on earth for him we scan — 
This miserable being, this moneyless man. 

He comes to our door, we answer his call — 

He 's nothing or nobody, after all ; 

He may have good logic, his mind may be stored 

With gems of truth ; he has upward soared 

To the realms of light, yet still we scan 

No worth he has now — this moneyless man. 

If he passes along our quiet street, 
Perchance our faces may often meet; 
No pains would we take to speak to /lim, 
To shun siiah a person would be no sin. 
We care not to hold out a friendly hand 
To this being we meet — this moneyless man. 

If sickness should hover around him here, 
We care not how much, if e'en so severe. 
He be racked with pain, if he must be 
A man without money, no mercy have we : 
Like the Levite, we pass on the other hand. 
Nor wish to be cursed by this moneyless man. 

No place on earth to him belongs ; 

He never does right, but always does wrong — 



'ihe Moneyless Man. 307 



le 



A bore to society he cloth abide — 
We give him a passage by us quite wicl( 
Nor let him in friendship near by us stand — 
This miserable being — this moneyless man. 

Should trouble assail us on every side, 
And we should assistance require, betide, 
We'll open the door and bid him come in, 
For we know that he has a warm heart within : 
He'll do for us all, and as well as he can — 
This worthless incumbrance — this moneyless man. 

When the hand of affliction has been withdrawn, 
We '11 turn from this being with looks of scorn ; 
We need his assistance no more, we say, 
He M better be going another way — • 
He'd better be working another plan 
To care for himself — this moneyless man. 

Death opens the portal, he passes away : 

The last great summons must he obey. 

He leaves this, his form, and soars up higher. 

To join with angels and strike the lyre. 

His form we see, taken by strangers' hands — 

In the potter's field lies this moneyless man. 

We leave this form, in after time. 

And take our exit to another clime. 

We are buried in pomp — with splendor crowned — 

And little memorials our graves surround ; 

But our head takes the level in earth, we scan, 

With the poor, honest head of the moneyless man. 



308 (Poems for the Times. 

To the future we go, from the earthly form, 

But can we this being thus meet, with such scorn? 

Ah, no ! He has soared away from our sight. 

And our minds are now groping in darkness and night. 

We see a form given — our visions now scan 

The worth of this being — this moneyless man. 



|^^)OME, go with me, my friend, you know 

Mf Our social meets to-day ; 
^^"Now tell me you will surely go. 
If so, I '11 call this way." 

" Well, really, Mrs. Jones, I 'd like ^ 

The social to attend. 
But then, I feel that I must write: 

I 've not the time to spend. 

"But call— perhaps I '11 go— I '11 see. 

If nothing does prevent ;" 
So, Mrs. Jones call'd 'round for me — 

We to the social went. 

We were two sisters in the church, 

And zealous members, too. 
And willing were to do our work, 

As most church-members do. 

The social was at Mrs. Brown's, 

A lady of degree — 
The upper-crust of this, our town — 

The aristocracy. 



Our Social 309 

Wlien we arrived at Mrs. Brown's, 

Of course we there must meet 
The minister. His wife came down, 

With greeting e^er so sweet. 

Said "Mrs. Strong/' with voice so bland, 

And spoke to every one ; 
So cordially he gave his hand, 

Saying " Good afternoon.'^ 

And after that, he took his hat, 

"' Excuse me now,'' said he, 
"I've little matters to look at. 

Then I '11 be back to tea." 

So saying, bowed, and left the house — 

Not until Mrs. Brown 
Had said, "Be faithful at the hour; 

Do n't fail in coming 'round." 

Now, there sat Mrs. Tattler, in 

Her listening attitude. 
And Mrs. Nonsense sat so prim 

By Mrs. Attitude. 

Just over there sits Mrs. Gray — 

That quiet little one ; 
Right here sits Mrs. Popinjay, 

All glistening like the sun. 

Said Mrs. Tattler to her friend- 
That Mrs. Nonsense, there — 

" I 've something now to tell you, lend 
To me a listening ear. 



310 (poeviis for the Times. 

^' Say, did you hear of Mrs. Sykes ? 

That story 's what I mean — 
She tries to do whatever she likes, 

You know she is nH seenj^ 

^^No I Ve not heard, do tell me now — 

The news to me impart ; 
Oh ! where's my fan, to fan my brow ! 

(I/m troubled with my heart/') 

Thus Mrs. Nonsense fans away, 

And flutters all around; 
She says : " Who cares, let 's all be gay — ■ 

Now to the crouquet ground,'^ 

Now Mrs. Tattler steps around 

And whispers to another. 
And pretty soon we hear a sound 

As whispering to each other. 

Now hands are raised in awful dread ! 

It goes the circle round; 
You ^d thought our greatest statesman dead, 

Could you have heard the sound. 

Now quiet Mrs. Gray, she spoke 

In her sweet, quiet way : 
" That story is not worth your note, 

I see her every day. 

" She calls on me, and I Ve been there; 

I like her very much : 
She labors and has many cares; 

Slie 'd like to 've been with us." 



Watching. 311 



Now all commence, the talk begins; 

Poor Mrs. Sykes must feel 
Her ears to burn, (if aught is in 

This sign) way to her heels. 

But now the tea is just announced: 

In comes the minister; 
He kneels, and prays God to denounce 

All sin that may appear. 

They take their tea and then depart, 

Each one to go her way ; 
But are they better now at heart, 

For being there that day? 

I ask my readers, one and all. 
That 'tend church socials here, 

If this is following the call 
Of this our pattern dear? 

No matter where we go in life, 

O let us all do good ; 
Avoid all turmoil and all strife. 

As all true Christians should. 



§HE sat there, sad and lonely, lost to hope, 
Beside that wretched couch of misery 
'"^ And want. A prostrate form now lay thereon. 
Unhappiness, and want, and sickness there 
Was to be seen. Her sunken eyes, so dim : 
Her hollow cheek, with palid look, gave forth 



312 ^oems for the Times. 



To the beholder that some sorrow deep, 

Deep down, within her soul's dark recess lurked. 

Her only child — her all, as one might say — 

Now lay there moaning, sick and weak. Her heart 

Was filled with anguish ; yet she faithful was 

To this, her trust. She noted every pain 

And every movement of that feeble form. 

Her anxious heart went forth to God, in prayer, 

So deep and earnest, from her inmost soul. 

For some relief. She felt that could her child 

But just recover, this was all she e'er 

Would ask in life. Then, with a deep-drawn sigh, 

She thought who could the sequel of his life, 

In after years, unfold. She felt the state. 

The sad condition of the drunkard's wifb. 

And could she Avish to see her darling one 

Thus follow in the footsteps of the man 

That now a father was, to him, by kin ? 

Her thoughts went far, far back to days of yore, 

To where she played upon the grassy lawn 

Beside her father's door — the petted one 

Of all the household there. Her mind was then 

Carried to after years in life, Avhen she 

Had given her heart and hand to him slie loved, 

And his to her he 'd given in return : 

That genial Avarmth of true affection, his — 

She stood beside the altar now a bride. 

A strong and loving nature was the one 

That now stood there beside her. Now she felt 

Secure from all the future ills of life. 

As passing time gave forth its many life 

IJnfoldings there, she f[\\(\^ herself within 



Watching, 313 

That quiet^ happy home, to her so blest. 
Ere long a change is seen. The partner of 
Her sorrows and her joys — if sorrows ere 
There be — began the downward road to go. 
The demon drink had entered there. All night, 
With tearful eyes and aching heart, she watched 
The coming footsteps of the one she loved — 
That, years ago, stood up in manhood's pride 
And made that solemn promise then to love 
And cherish her. All hope had fled. She now 
Felt that her life henceforth would be a blank. 
Ere long another came within that home : 
A little stranger came to fill her heart's 
Void with a mother's love. That father now 
Became more as in days of yore — a man. 
New life was now begat within his soul. 
As this his child he saw. He made such firm 
Resolves that in the future time he would 
A father and a husband truly be. 
But ah ! alas ! the vow was soon to be 
But empty words, all broken, all in vain. 
Down, down, deep into degradation there 
He went. Companions came around him now. 
To draw him on into the dark abyss. 
They with his warm and genial heart now played. 
And he became forever lost in shame. 
She watched beside her boy, and now she prayed — 
" O, God, if 't is thy will that he should live, 
O, spare my boy ! If not, thy will be done." 
14 ' 



;14 • ^oems for the Times. 



fJjjO pen the words that would unfold, 
Jyl The power, the force remains untold ; 
^^ The mighty weight that's felt around 
By thought embodied onward bound. 

Look back to ages long ago : 
See those of old dig deep to know — 
To cast before the coming man 
Pearls found for him in far-oiF lands. 

These ages gave us mighty thought — 
Thought that can never come to naught — 
That guides us on to latter years, 
And helps unfold great minds so dear. 

In latter times we may look up 

And drink deep draughts from Wisdom's cup; 

Those gems so dearly to be sought 

We find embodied here in thought. 

Deep thought will make us truly wise ; 
Each day we higher, higher rise ; 
From the great point of love divine 
Bright, sparkling gems will surely shine. 

In searching all that was before. 

We long each day for more and more ; 

We drink, nor can be satisfied. 

Yet still we drink. The fount ne'er dries. 



Valedictory. 315 

If we impart each clay we live, 
We more receive, the more we give; 
Still hunger for the bread of life, 
And bear the hardship, toil, and strife. 

Of digging deep for thought so great. 
Of truth no sacrifice can make 
Us falter, as we seek to plod 
Into the mysteries of God. 

Inspired with wisdom from above. 
We seek true spheres and works of love; 
All, all our lives may we seek naught 
But to dig deep for noble thought. 



f,HE time has come for us to part. 
Kind readers, one and all : 
With the best wishes of a heart 
Of love, to great or small. 

Within these lids, dear patrons, friends — 

For such I trust you are — 
Truth I Ve brought out, and tried to pen 

With labor and with care. 

Evils within our land and world 

Are many times enthroned ; 
And some have 'neath our feet been hurled. 

While friendless and alone. 



316 ■ (Poe-ins for the Times. 

Therefore, I feel the keenest touch — 
Can sympathize, in truth, 

With all who suffer here, as such. 
And pity the uncouth. 

Within the pages of this book, 
Pictures you '11 often find ; 

Which, as you may upon them look — 
Will help unfold your mind. 

The greatest wish within my heart, 
Has been to do you good ; 

And, as in life we take a part, 
May we be understood. 

May we all live the lessons true, 

Of Jesus Christ divine ; 
And may our lives be here imbued. 

With purity of mind. 

May we be led in paths of right, 
Dealing with beings here; 

Then joyfully we'll hail the sight 
Of that bright, happy sphere. 

My task — this work — is now complete 

Finished, I say, at last ; 
May you, in reading here, find meat — 

In truth, is all I ask. 

This ends the present volume, true. 
But, in some future time, 

I may again speak unto you 
In other w^ays than rhyme. 



Valedictory. 317 



As changes mark each day iu life, 
So I must, this time, close : 

I soon may come before your eyes, 
In something more like prose. 

Good-byes are spoken often times, 
Between friends near and dear. 

And I am very much inclined 
To say "good-bye" just here. 



BD- 364. 



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